Andrew Missingham, director of performing arts, explained: "We were so impressed by the SLS system that Ampekko supplied for the week-long Climax 01 season, that it made total sense to replace our old system and upgrade to SLS. It will allow us to fulfil our objectives in 2002 to revive live music performance in this venue. It has already worked to enhance our club nights . . . and will continue to augment the potential of the Theatre across a variety of applications from performance art and dance, through to live music and conferences or workshops."
To achieve the diverse objectives of a very multi-functional venue, Ampekko supplied a system comprised of SLS T3RHs - active three-way cabinets and SLS T218K4 sub-bass units. A pair of T3RHs were flown either side of the stage by production rigging experts, Flying Squad Aerial Rigging Ltd, who specified the compact 272kg PCM/Lodestar motors so as to enable the speakers to be flown to optimum height.
The system has been integrated through an Allen & Heath GL4000 with the amplification supplied by Commax A1000 amps. All the processing and speaker management is handled by a BSS Omnidrive system. FOH engineer Ruanne Emmenes explained: "The sound from the SLS cabinets are as clear as silence! Having worked in a number of high profile venues both in London and New York City I was very impressed with the SLS system. The power, the coverage and most of all the clarity makes it a perfect solution for a club venue. I was particularly pleased with its high/mid and low frequency reproduction. In fact, the high frequency definition surpassed any point source array I have worked with before and has renewed my confidence in Ribbon Driver Technology."
Since the early 1970s, SLS Industries has been designing and manufacturing some of the most innovative hand crafted loudspeaker systems in the industry based on their innovative use of new materials in ribbon transducers. Their quest for sonic excellence has resulted in the SLS range boasting a unique form of Ribbon Driver Technology. The PRD 1000 Ribbon Driver features a cast aluminium body, Neodynamic push-pull magnetic structures and a high temperature Kapton diaphragm. The thin -film Kapton diaphragm is 10 times lighter then a conventional compression driver, resulting in unequalled transient response and clarity. Suitable for a variety of applications from studios, pre and post editing suites, to installations and live productions, Ampekko is looking forward to building the SLS market share both in the UK and Europe.
(Lee Baldock)
