The famous Live Stage in the Oxford Street Virgin Megastore has played host to some of the biggest acts around over the years. In the new exclusive partnership, this will now form a key feature of the Sound Control London experience, with some huge bands planned for gigs each week. If the clarity of sound is anything like that produced for Dido's showcase appearance at the store on 29 September, then they have a treat in store.
Sound Control has a long relationship with Nexo's UK distributors, Fuzion plc, whose regional sales manager Mick Butler formerly worked for the retail chain. "Nexo has worked well for Sound Control and was an obvious choice for the live stage," said Butler. "We are delighted that the general consensus was that the sound quality for Dido was excellent."
Mick Butler designed the Nexo system in conjunction with Sound Control based around four flown PS15s (two per side), with a pair of LS1200 subs ground-stacked under the stage. A pair of PS10s (for stage monitoring) was later added to the order. The system is tuned using dedicated system controllers (PS10TD and PS15TD). Fuzion also provided the main FOH power engine in the form of a Crown MA5002VZ amplifier (for the subs) and two MZ3600VZ units for the mid-tops.
The Dido show was the first of several showcases planned by Sound Control to inaugurate the partnership between the two music retail giants, and to launch a flagship operation made possible by a new injection of capital into the company. With their first store in the South East, the Scottish-based company now boasts 12 modern superstores from Dundee to London, making Sound Control the first and only UK-wide national chain of music stores. And they see the alliance with Virgin Megastores also bearing fruit outside of London as the remodelling exercise continues.
In addition to featuring some of the world's greatest bands, the new superstore, which will be open seven days a week, will also contain the largest guitar wall in the country and a massive range of stock from all of the major brands. Scheduled for opening in mid-October, Sound Control London will be running a series of open days covering all fields of musicianship with some major manufacturers demonstrating the latest gear in-store.
(Ruth Rossington)
