Providing even, powerful low-end coverage for in-the-round concerts with fewer subwoofers than traditional configurations, the TM Array delivered impressed Metallica at their London and Berlin record release events that the band specifically requested production to use the system on the arena tou.
Playing in the round creates a myriad of problems for production, especially in the low-end dynamics. Metallica has been experimenting with different configurations for the past 17 years, but with varying success until the adoption of the TM Array, says the company.
"It's difficult," says 'Big Mick' Hughes, the sound engineer who has been with Metallica since the band's beginnings. "Ask any engineer that's ever mixed in the round, and they will all say the same thing - it's very difficult to get even coverage, particularly in the low frequencies."
One of the first attempts was a groundstack configuration, and the crew also considered going underneath the stage. Both ideas were rejected - the former because it would blast the first rows with an eardrum-rupturing 145 dB of SPL, and the latter because it would cause earthquake-level tremors on stage.
The intricate problem was solved when Thomas Mundorf, Meyer Sound's European Technical Support, used MAPP Online Pro acoustical prediction program to create the design of four arrays of ten 700-HP subwoofers above the stage. The configuration effectively achieves the desired coverage while using a smaller number of subwoofers than traditional configurations.
"I must admit I was sceptical at first, I didn't think it would work," notes Owen, "but it did, and it was spectacular."
Mundorf had utilized a similar - though smaller - type of sub array in previous designs, so he knew the theory was solid, even with the unique demands Metallica brought to the table.
"By creating a line array of 700-HPs," says Mundorf, "and bringing them closer together, you take advantage of the fundamental law of good sound design, the basic line array principle that one sound source is the best possible option. This design uses that and the subwoofers' omnidirectional throw pattern."
The sound reinforcement for the tour also includes eight arrays of 12 Milo and four Mica line array loudspeakers each. Rounding out this system are 24 MJF-212A stage monitors. System drive is provided by a Galileo loudspeaker management system with five Galileo 616 processors. The RMS remote monitoring system feeds extensive real-time loudspeaker status and performance data directly to the operator. A Sim 3 audio analyzer is used to optimize, calibrate and monitor the performance of the system.
"We'd never had even sub coverage in the round, ever," adds Hughes. "It's just the nature of the beast. But the fact that the TM Array puts bass absolutely everywhere is a first for in the round. It's just fantastic."
(Claire Beeson)
