Convened and hosted by Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the 2014 edition of the world's largest gospel concert brought together some of today's best-known artists such as Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Israel Houghton, Chevelle Franklin, Micah Stampley, Midnight Crew, Freke Umoh, Frank Edwards, Sinach, Nathaniel Bassey, Angella Christie, Onos Ariyo and Chioma Jesus, among others.
For the second time, Nigeria-based Cytech World Communication provided a complete audio solution by Italian manufacturer Outline for the event.
The Experience's FOH audio set-up comprised 30 GTO C-12 line-source systems plus two underhung GTO-DF (down-fill) modules, while 16 DBS 18-2, eight Subtech 218 and four LAB 21 HS subwoofers ensured the low and infra-low frequencies power and precision.
Eighteen more GTO C-12 elements were selected to provide the necessary coverage width for audience areas near the side of the stage, and thirty-two Butterfly were fielded as delay units. Eight DVS 12 two-way compact enclosures filled in the nearfield, and two Doppias combined with four Subtech 218 handled side-fill chores perfectly on the big stage. The whole system was powered by Outline T-Series amplifiers.
Cyril Utomoibor, owner and managing director of Cytech World Communication, says, "As a Nigerian, this has always been a very important event for me, and the fact that they confirmed us for the second consecutive year means we did our job well. The audio team pulled out all the stops to take care of every detail and, at the end of the day, I really must say that the sound was incredible.
"The C-12 simply outperformed all the other systems used at previous editions. The SPL and clarity were wonderful, in spite of the fact that Tafawa-Balewa Square measures 280m by 200. My client, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, was in fact amazed and extremely pleased, and I'm looking forward to the next great show."
"This is a project I'm particularly proud of," adds the event's system engineer Carlo Gennaro, who was also reconfirmed for the second time at The Experience.
"Due to the vast area and the size of the crowd, achieving the best possible results in terms of coverage was fundamental, to enable everyone to enjoy the show, no matter where they were watching it from. With very little time at our disposal on-site, we used Openarray 3D acoustic simulation software to 'outline' our strategy, and the result was really gratifying. For the record, on the FOH platform, at 40m from the rig, we had an undistorted SPL of 110 dB. Pure pleasure!"
(Jim Evans)
