The Theatre, which was built within the shell of the original Corn Exchange Hall in the Victorian era, needed a versatile system to handle its varied programme ranging from stand-up comedy to local am-dram and full blown rock concerts. LUX Technical bid successfully for the contract which was issued by theatre manager Judith Mackie. Having experience LUX Technical's larger HDL20-A rental system on many occasions, her team had been fully aware of the system's coverage capabilities.
"We decided to install a permanent system because when touring companies arrive with their own production they often carry enormous speakers. We wanted to make it easier and quicker to load in and load out by providing a flexible house system and encourage them to play through that," she said.
And it has clearly been working, as according to the Corn Exchange's assistant tech, Jack Milligan, "Everyone who has heard the speakers says what a difference they have made - they sound absolutely brilliant."
The Theatre also needed to achieve best value as it is run almost entirely by volunteers, and since the start of the new millennium has been administered under a charitable company (Corn Exchange Theatre Company) - set up to support the arts in Stamford.
The journey to discover the best solution had been driven largely by the Corn Exchange Theatre's technical director Roger Bradshaw. In conjunction with technical manager, Robert Mackie they evaluated a ground-stacked version of RCF's popular D-Line series and gave it the thumbs up.
With its onboard 1400 Watt Peak Power 2-way digital amplifier and powerful DSP, the HDL10-A not only met the criteria - but also provided a more manageable and less obtrusive piece of real estate to fly over the proscenium arch. Three HDL10-A elements have been hung each side along with an HDL15-AS flyable sub. Providing front row in-fills are a pair of RCF's TT052-A.
According to LUX Technical's managing director, Peter Gibbons, his company has been a fan of RCF's D-Line composite line arrays since taking over Stewart Duckworth's Chameleon Pro Audio & Lighting Ltd (who had been first UK customer for the HDL20-A).
"We have done many shows with the HDL20-A but the smaller HDL10-A is also a super system, offering flexibility and great value for money. We were confident in this solution and it has fitted perfectly into the acoustic space, and packs a real punch.
"It's a nice and easy system to install and operate, with the flying hardware and the advantage of being able to fly the sub; it's also very lightweight considering it has all the amps on board. Overall, it's a superb piece of kit."
The HDL10-A rig is the centrepiece of a larger audio fit-out and Peter Gibbons observes that because it is a modular system, when additional bass is required, the theatre can simply add a couple of additional HDL matched subs from LUX Technical's hire stock.
(Jim Evans)
