Paul Nicholson from L-Acoustics UK was heavily involved with the main stage design and was on site along with Paul Bauman, the head of technical support, to assist SSE with the installation of the system. Utilising L-Acoustics' Soundvision software, the site mapping was completed many weeks before the load-in and all that was required on the day were a few minor trim adjustments once the undulating nature of the field had been taken into consideration.
L-Acoustics also supplied their Kudo demo rig for the main stage delays - the first time that the system had been used in this configuration in the UK - and it complemented the main V-Dosc hangs "perfectly", said L-Acoustics. "Everyone was really impressed by the clarity, throw, and full range output of the Kudo. Just nine boxes were used on each of the two delay positions, covering the last 100m to the back of the field".
SPL levels had to be trimmed back to comply with local noise regulations but nevertheless peak averages throughout the audience were around 104dB from front to back, which, thanks to the WST loudspeaker technology employed, was a comfortable level for all the fans and guest engineers for an event like Download: 'Big' Mick Hughes, FOH engineer for Metallica, commented how good it was to be mixing on V-Dosc once again.
Paul Nicholson commented: "My thanks go to all the companies and technicians involved for providing such high standards of support throughout the six days on site. It was a great event from start to finish and a testament to the universal approval of the L-Acoustics brand and the professionalism of all the companies both here at Download and throughout the world who have put their faith in us as a manufacturer."
(Lee Baldock)
