Gary Marks' long-standing production company has been servicing the British metal veterans for the past 10 of their 36 years on the road.
Once again the heavy reinforcement artillery was provided by an EAW KF760 line array system, with the new SB1002 subs flown for the first time to deliver a full-range sound - right to the furthest reaches of the upper tribunes.
The band had turned to EAW - and ML Executives - when their long-serving sound engineer Doug Hall had originally set his sights on upgrading to line array technology. In the meantime, ML had remained brand loyal to EAW, having been the first UK customer for their classic KF850 many years before. "Although the band had reviewed several other line arrays, they specifically came to us because we already had the new KF760 line array - and that's why we have continued to develop the inventory," says Marks.
In fact they have amassed a large fleet of 72 KF760's as well as 24 KF761 down-fills, 24 of the new SB1002 subwoofers and 16 BH760 subs - essential for the outdoor season when much larger site coverage was required for audiences up to 80,000.
The story of this tour was really about the SB1002. When they were introduced, Marks decided to sell his previous generation (SB1000) direct radiating subs, knowing that their successors would be capable of going up in the air (the rigging system accommodates flown arrays of up to 12 SB1002 units); this would also offer good vertical directivity and minimize the 'bleed-back' effect. "By being able to fly the new subs, with the upgraded driver and flyware, meant we could deliver a full-range system to anywhere in the venue - which we had been unable to do with the old ground-stacked SB1000's."
At the same time Doug Hall had been keen to retain the horn-loaded BH760 to provide some physical stage energy and presence. "With two 12in, very long horns this delivers a tight and punchy sound. There's very little splash-back back onto the artists but at the same time the band did need to feel some of the physical energy." Without the bleed-back Hall was able to put any feed (such as kick drum) through the BH760, as it is so directional.
Thus the rig at the O2 Arena for the final two nights comprised 15 KF760 and three KF761 (per side) - plus the 12 flown SB1002s - with a further 12 x KF760 providing the out-fills on each wing. The ground stacks were formed from eight BH760 enclosures per side.
(Jim Evans)
