He continues: "For a typically single balcony venue of around 1,500 seats, we fly just eight Xlc127 boxes a side, and for larger venues, or more balconies, we hang 10 deep. With six ground stacked Xlc118 subs per side, there's plenty of bottom end, and a pair of Xi1152s for front fills ensures we've got everything covered."
System design has been simplified by the use of software tools that EV has provided with Xlc. "Taking out a new speaker system requires support from the manufacturer as we get to grips with a new box," explained system tech, Jerry Fradley. "But, with the Line Array Prediction Software (LAPS) that comes with Xlc, we can be confident we are configuring the system correctly for each situation without referring back to the manufacturer. The first thing I do in a venue is measure the key dimensions of the room and put the data into LAPS. I can then simulate the acoustic performance of the system, modify inter-cabinet angles and generally tweak the system without actually moving a box. LAPS will show me SPL throughout the room and identify any problems with coverage. It also calculates all the mechanical data including centre of gravity of the array and the array weight. At only 50kg per cabinet, an eight-deep hang is very manageable."
Britannia Row is providing a technology-focussed system, with EV's IRIS control software remotely driving EV Precision Series amplifiers. At front-of-house, there's a Yamaha PM1D, and a PC running IRIS. "It's the way I like to work," says Charlie Bradley. "There's technology here that makes the show run better, sound better, and allows me to get on with my job."
(Lee Baldock)
