Concert Sound Ltd., one of Europe's premier audio rental companies, has selected JBL's VERTEC VT4889 system for worldwide live sound use. The decision to deploy VERTEC for upcoming European and North American tours by legendary performer Eric Clapton comes after a successful run of events in Japan during November and December.
Japanese concerts used a VERTEC system, arranged in cooperation with Hibino Sound. The shows were mixed by sound engineer Robert Collins, who has worked with Clapton since 1989, "VERTEC? Now this is a right proper, professional P.A. system. Enough said," remarked Collins after the first of several shows in Tokyo's Budokan arena. Clapton's Japanese dates covered 18 venues throughout the country's major cities, including the new Sapporo Dome. Presented by Udo Artists, all concerts were sold out.
"Our company, and Eric Clapton's production team, has decided to move forward with JBL VERTEC after carefully reviewing the various line array options available today," confirms Tim Boyle, Managing Director for Concert Sound, whose staff handles concert needs worldwide for a prestigious group of major artists including Clapton. "We've long known the value and superior power-handling capabilities of JBL's loudspeaker components, through our own internal custom stage monitor projects," notes Boyle. "Now it's interesting to see JBL achieving broad, worldwide acceptance of their new line array systems, which once again appear to be pushing live sound technology forward with JBL's advanced transducers."
In February, Concert Sound technicians will be readying their new arena-sized system for production rehearsals. Concerts begin on the European continent in March, with numerous dates already confirmed for Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the U.K. Eric Clapton's European tour will finish with a week of shows at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. The entourage then moves to North America for summer event dates.
"All of us at JBL are very pleased that Concert Sound is choosing to make an investment in VERTEC line-array systems," advised David Scheirman, Director of Tour Sound. "This veteran company, and their affiliated team of world-class soundmixers, are respected throughout the industry. We're honored to have been selected by Concert Sound as their line-array equipment vendor of choice for premier clients like Eric Clapton."
Concert Sound Ltd. can be reached in England at +1 44(0) 1582-565-855.
Headquartered in Northridge, California, JBL Professional is the world's leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of professional loudspeakers for recording and broadcast, musician, cinema, touring sound, commercial sound and contracting applications. JBL Professional is part of the Harman International network of professional and consumer audio companies. For complete product and company information, go to the JBL Pro website at www.jblpro.com.