The Trinity Centre is one of Bristol's main live music venues but, when funding was made available for a new sound reinforcement system for the 600-capacity main hall, there was a lot to consider for Paul King - proprietor of King Sound Reinforcement, one of the main professional audio installation and rental companies in the UK's south-west.
"We have worked as the venue's audio contractor for over a decade. There was an existing house system but, to be honest, it was so unsatisfactory that for every live show we were bringing in our own rental equipment," he says. "The main hall is a really busy space - as well as live music it hosts plays, meetings, corporate and community events. Trinity Centre is heavily reliant on funding, so while the audio quality was of utmost importance, management also needed a system that would fit within a reasonable budget."
Paul looked at a number of options and after A/B testing, L-Acoustics Kara was the clear choice for its power, versatility, and budget-friendliness.
"When Paul came to us to purchase the system, we knew that Kara was the right choice," says Andy Huffer from HD Pro Audio, who supplied the L-Acoustics system to King Sound. "Paul had used Kara on various productions before and really liked its versatility and sound quality."
"The Kara installation version is also very competitively priced," adds Paul. "It handily came in within the budget, making it a win for the event programming and a win for the finances of the venue."
The system was designed by Paul with assistance from L-Acoustics' Dan Orton and comprises six Kara per side, with eight SB18i subs under the stage, all powered by three LA8 amplified controllers.
Paul was so impressed with the Kara that he has invested in a system for King Sound Reinforcements' rental stock, setting a new benchmark for its customers.
"We have been looking to invest in high end line array for a while," he says. "We have been using another manufacturer's products, but really need a system that delivers excellent sound, is rider-friendly and - crucially for a company like us - has ongoing residual value."
An initial order has been placed for an 18-unit Kara system, including eight SB18 and six SB28 subs, six LA8 amplified controllers and a pair of LA-RAK modular touring racks.
(Jim Evans)
