The show setting proved ideal for the UK launch of HK Audio's innovative COHEDRA Compact line array PA system last year, with HK's flagship COHEDRA line array system taking pride of place for 2005, specified by Q Audio due to the increased scale of this years main stage. Arrays consisted of 12 flown CDR208 mid/high units per side plus 24 ground-stacked CDR210S subwoofers, with 28.8kW of power courtesy of two of each of HK's PR8 and PR16 amp/controller racks. Eight of the new ConTour Series CT115 multi-function speaker cabinets made up the monitor rig, with a DEACON stack acting as a more-than-capable drum fill.
COHEDRA, a compact line array for large venues, was barely indiscernible visually from the theatre area after being flown either side of Music Live's main live stage. In action, however, it was very discernible indeed thanks to high-performance projection and detailed dynamic performance levels for the varied roster of stage and demo acts throughout the weekend, with Q Audio's Lez Patterson, in charge of the main stage sound.
Elsewhere at Music Live, HK Audio's portable, self powered active systems were making themselves heard in various locations. The Drum Seminar Room utilised a 3.6kW Projector, half an Elias PX as an actual drum fill with Dart monitors, whilst the other three seminar rooms used either Deacon or Actor DX set-ups, and the JHS stand where Ovation guitar clinician Matt Smith played over the show weekend through a 2005-spec Elias PX, with a single Fast monitor as foldback.
German guitarist Thomas Blug displayed his trademark effortless jazz blues style through a Lucas 1000 on the Hughes & Kettner stand, while Roland UK's house band made good use at Music Live of their HK Audio Actor, a three-box per side active arrangement.
(Lee Baldock)
