A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd's Audio division has supplied a high performance new Meyer sound system to Lancaster University, UK.
The fully portable PA is based in the new environmentally friendly Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) building, a £10 million cutting edge development that now houses all the University's arts related courses including theatre, music, film, art, theatre, visual and design studies - which were previously dispersed around various areas of the campus.
The supply was co-ordinated by A.C. Audio's sales manager, Peter Butler - who is based at the company's Leeds office - and the University's music technology officer, Dr Rosemary Fitzgerald. It was specified by senior lecturer and head of the Music department Takayuki Rai, who is also a prolific composer, a highly respected electroacoustic specialist and talented performer working with interactive computer music and real-time signal processing techniques.
The equipment supplied by A.C. Audio consists of two Meyer CQ1 wide dispersion speakers - featuring a patented constant-Q horn design, and four UPJ-1P full range speakers which are compact and lightweight, complete with a Yamaha O1V 96 VCM mixing console, which is small and can handle up to 40 inputs. The equipment was all fully flightcased and inclusive of stands and accessories.
It was the realisation of a long term dream of Takayuki Rai to have a Meyer system available at the Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Arts.
As a visitor to concert halls worldwide, he has found that Meyer speaker systems always have the flexibility and controllability to "satisfy my ears". He notes that to get the best results for computer music concerts, the "clarity and power" of Meyer is definitely "in my experience, the best choice in the world".
The relationship between A.C. Audio and Takayuki goes back to 2006. AC-ET's Audio division is an agent for most leading manufacturers in all pro audio equipment sectors, providing a complete one-stop service. Over the years it has supplied a variety of Yamaha equipment, including a DM1000 digital mixer to Takayuki for the Institute.
"Peter and A.C. Audio have been hugely helpful over the last five years. They have always supplied excellent information and been knowledgeable and informed about both Meyer and Yamaha. I believe AC-ET to be one of a very small number of companies in the UK capable of supporting both of these premium brands so comprehensively".
Peter visited the LICA building and several of the spaces in which it was proposed to use the new Meyer system - in particular the main auditorium - and discussed all the requirements in depth with Takayuki and Rosemary. From there, he compiled a working specification that was then quoted on.
As per procedure, the University also put the sound system specification / supply out to tender. However says Takayuki, "None of the other companies could come back with the precise and detailed information I needed".
Says Peter, "Takayuki set his heart on a Meyer system to satisfy a very demanding set of requirements and because he knew he could rely on its quality. As an acclaimed expert in the field of electroacoustic and computer music, he has an acute, critical ear for the correct way it should sound in a performance, and has put substantial energy and time into making the case for this very serious investment".
The system will be utilised for numerous different applications, including performances of high-end processed audio, music playback, electroacoustic competitions and for showcasing the work of students on all the various courses in the LICA building.
Rosemary comments on A.C. Audio, "They are absolutely brilliant, and we enjoy doing business with them. For this project, Peter visited the venue several times, paid much attention to detail and really listened to what we wanted, which impressed us greatly".
Takayuki adds that when it came to the purchase process finally receiving approval, AC-ET also offered competitive pricing. He concludes, "I appreciate the support from Peter and his team at AC-ET very much".
For more press information on A.C. Entertainment Technologies, please contact Louise Stickland on +44 7831 329888 or +44 1865 202679 or EMail ; [email protected].
For more information from AC-ET direct, please contact:
A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd.
+44 (0)1494 446000
www.ac-et.com
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The information contained herein is correct at the time of printing, however as we are constantly refining our product range we reserve the right to change the specification without notice. E&OE.
Editor's note:
Based 30 miles to the west of London, UK, the “A.C. Group” was founded in the early 1970's by David Leggett and the late Richard Floyd.
A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. is one of the largest European distributors of professional lighting, audio, rigging, video and associated equipment to the entertainment industry, supplying customers located throughout the World. The corporate headquarters, housing UK and International sales, demonstration, manufacturing, repair and substantial warehouse operation are located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The company also has a Northern Region sales office with additional demonstration and warehouse facilities located in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
In addition, the Group has a separate projects company, A.C. Special Projects Ltd, and sales, manufacturing and warehousing operations in Europe, North America and Asia.