The initial order comprises 24 each of the Compact (W8LC) and Mini (W8LM) Line Array, along with 12 of the complementary WLX subwoofers and associated flying hardware. Powering the system, which will join the European tour of Lord of the Dance - a long-term Wigwam contract - will be a combination of 27 Martin Audio MA2.8s (1500W into 4-ohms stereo) amplifiers and five MA4.2s (2300W into 4-ohms).
Hill confirmed that the company has reviewed most of the available systems before favouring Martin Audio. He commented: "We wanted a system that was compact, quick to rig and sufficiently versatile to handle venue sizes ranging from 2000 seats right up to 8,000 capacity. The Martin Audio system fitted all these criteria. The W8LC will fit into a small theatre and deliver tremendous power, while its size and weight make it easy to transport."
He added that Wigwam had been keen to use a British system, and recalled purchasing 115 bass bins and the legendary 212 Philishave direct from Dave Martin back in the early days of the company. The clincher came with a final evaluation at Liverpool Cathedral, when 3,200 people flocked in to hear Christian band Delirious. Spratt recalls: "It was the first rock gig in the cathedral for 30 years, and in conjunction with Martin Audio's Jim Cousins, we rigged eight W8LM boxes a side on ALC towers. I couldn't believe the clarity - and although I brought a lot of extra reinforcement I only had to switch in two extra subs and a small delay system, whereas I would normally set delay points every 10m or so. The sound quality was excellent and the coverage it provided stunning - projecting across 60m effortlessly in a highly-reverberant area."
He continued: "The W8LC/W8LM system has so many plus points - it's compact, the rigging points are good, it's British, it can equally be run passive or active and it gives us choice. On top of that we like the people at Martin Audio, and the support that they will be able to provide." Wigwam's W8LC system will debut in Germany before touring Russia and the Baltic states with one of the four Lord of the Dance troupes, which are currently out. The W8LM will typically be used for side hangs, infill and delay.
Hill has also given high priority to packaging the system, and immediately commissioned another British company - VDC Trading - to build all the racks, with specific panelling and cable systems. With an eye on the future, Wigwam Acoustics confirmed the opening of their London depot later this year, where they will be near neighbours of fellow Martin Audio Line Array stockholder, Capital Sound Hire - thereby creating cross-hire potential for both companies.
The W8LC compact three-way, all-horn line array is the first mid-sized system offering the same exceptional audio, consistent coverage, high efficiency and rapid set-up time as the W8L. The asymmetrical design allows mid and HF horns to function as separate devices, providing a true 90ยบ through the mid and HF bands. The W8LM is a full-bandwidth, 2 x 8in and 2 x 1in system that can be used without additional sub-bass. It uses line array principles from its larger predecessors, coupled with an evolution of the Hybrid horn loading technique. The use of mid-horn geometry and toroidal wave-guide allows the W8LM to maintain constant directivity with a horizontal pattern of 120 degrees.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
