SSE Audio Group's L-ACOUSTICS K1 system flown at Wembley Arena for BBC Radio 1Xtra Live
A total of 72 K1 boxes, along with 30 dV-DOSC, 20 large-format KUDO and 18 ultra-compact KIVA line source cabinets, plus 48 SB28 subs, were deployed for the event. The system was driven by 24 flown LA-RAK housing 72 LA8 amplified controllers, connected by LA Network Manager.
The event presented several challenges for the sound system. The nature of the bands, including N-Dubz, Tinchy Stryder and Roll Deep, called for high SPLs and sub levels. Two stages were used, one end-on for bands and one in-the-round for "vocal to track" acts. The latter needed to achieve seamless 360 degree coverage around the stage, with the system sharing a rigging area with lighting, etc., plus weight limitations and the need to keep sightlines as clear as possible for the TV cameras.
For the (end-on) band stage, four hangs of K1 were used, while a further six K1 hangs plus two sub hangs were used for the round "voice-to-track" stage. K1's power meant fewer boxes were required, so each array cleared the floor by 30 feet, improving the all-important camera sightlines. All 14 L-ACOUSTICS LA-RAK power racks were flown on the K1 bumpers so that only power and LA Network Manager connections needed to be run from FOH to the eight center hangs. This kept cable runs from the racks to the K1 boxes to an absolute minimum and minimized any power loss.
"K1 was able to meet all the challenges this event threw at it, achieving a full-on and seamless coverage to all parts of the floor area," says Miles Hillyard, senior project manager, SSE Audio. "The power and versatility of K1 meant this could be achieved in-the-round with just six clusters, with sources blending perfectly. It would probably have been impossible to achieve this using other systems."
To underline the great sound SSE has been achieving this summer, the company was presented with the Best Live Sound Event award by industry publication Audio Pro International for this summer's Download festival, which also featured a full K1 rig. Other events SSE has used K1 for this summer include the Reading and Leeds, Oxegen, Latitude, V and Cropredy festivals, T4 on the Beach, and the recent Papal visit to Glasgow.
SSE is now planning to further increase its L-ACOUSTICS inventory with the purchase of a KARA modular line source system.
For more info on SSE Audio Group, visit www.sseaudiogroup.com.
L-ACOUSTICS is a leading innovator and manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers, amplifiers and signal processing devices for touring and installed sound markets. Known around the globe for pioneering and championing the modern line array loudspeaker concept with V-DOSC, the company has received numerous accolades for its K1, KUDO, KIVA, ARCS, XT coaxial loudspeaker systems and SB line of subwoofer enclosures, all powered and processed with the LA4 and LA8 amplified controllers in fulfillment of a "total system approach." L-ACOUSTICS products for the US market are distributed by L-ACOUSTICS US of Oxnard, California.
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