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SPECIAL REPORT
A new sound sensation from KV2’s VHD system
Relatively strange sensation: Robert Plant and his band perform at WOMEX UK: Hall One of The Sage Gateshead was where a slightly bemused technical crew looked on as Andy Austin Brown, director of technical projects for KV2 Audio and his assistant Paul ‘The Mule’ Galley unloaded a conspicuously small PA from the rear of a sprinter van and proceeded to have it rigged and ready to power up within 45 minutes. Had the system been intended for Hall Two then no one would have batted an eyelid, however this PA system had been imported to service one of the biggest events on the venue’s calendar, the prestigious four-day annual WOMEX world music expo. If size was anything to go by, the VHD system really didn’t look substantial enough to fill the 1,700 capacity auditorium. Nevertheless as the old axiom goes, size isn’t everything, and whilst the crew waited for power Austin Brown reiterated the bold statements the company had made at the UK launch of the VHD during PLASA 2005. “The designers of this system have spent two years reducing inherent distortion of cabinets, be it electronic, mechanical or acoustic; we wanted to produce a loudspeaker that does not require lots of elec-
tronic correction. Advancements in transducer and digital control, as well as optimized amplification electronics have allowed for a dramatic increase in dynamic range and makes this system extremely user friendly and powerful.” The Sage Gateshead, which opened last December, was on the eve of hosting over 40 world music acts. This was to present an eclectic collection of musical styles featuring as the opening act in Hall One, Robert Plant and his band Strange Sensation. Much was riding on WOMEX, both for the venues reputation and for Newcastle/Gateshead as a whole. The event brought in over 2,000 delegates and performers from around the world and consequently generated significant income for the city. As a result it was imperative that, at least technically, nothing went wrong. It therefore begs the question: Why did the technical management chose this particular event to add another potential wild card into the mix? Surely with so much riding on the success of WOMEX it would have been better to stick with the devil they knew and use the familiar in house PA system, road testing >>
Paul Astbury: “Last time I was here I measured 96dB on stage” [3 0]
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SPECIAL REPORT >> the VHD at a less critical time?
The Sage Gateshead and KV2 boys (L-R) Chris Durrant, technical operations manager, The Sage Gateshead; Paul ‘The Mule’ Galley; KV2’s Andy Austin-Brown; Ed Gamble, Stage Electrics; Dan Adams, production manager, The Sage Gateshead
As Dan Adams, production manager for WOMEX ’05 candidly responds: “Hall 1 is acoustically one of the best concert halls in the world, the variable acoustic treatment make it as close to perfect as a room can be for amplified sound. Nevertheless it’s tricky to find a speaker system that works well within such a challenging space. With the current trend towards line arrays, we have had many problems with complex reflections from the various systems we have tried.” Visiting FOH engineer for Hall One, Paul Astbury said, “Last time I was here I measured 96dB on stage behind the in-house PA from reflection alone. This is an impossible environment for monitors. After all,
what do you do when the lead vocalist says ‘I want more of me’, give him a mirror?” So what of the VHD PA? Comprising of four VHD 2.0 mid/high enclosures, two flown left and right for the top balcony area, and one a side as part of the left and right on-stage stack, which included two VHD2.15 double 15-inch subwoofer systems and four VHD 4.18 quad 18-inch subwoofer systems, it performed flawlessly. A palpable change to the sceptical atmosphere was instant as a CD player was connected direct to the system – no processing or room EQ – which then generated an imposing yet crystal clear sound, every part of the signal could be heard. Nowhere in the 1,700 capacity room could a dead
corner be found. However this was a CD and things are very different when the band gets up on stage. Paul Astbury FOH engineer said: “Well, at least I know now that I don’t have to call London to get more gear in!” He rode the system quite hard and commented that there was still plenty of headroom, the air was moving and he could feel his trousers pulsate. Riiight… In the world of PA there is no panacea for every application, all PA’s to one degree or another lean more towards certain applications than others. The VHD certainly performed well in the Hall One environment and all concerned with WOMEX’s technical needs were unwavering in their confidence that this was indeed the best possible solution for the job. This was ultimately backed up by the initially non committal Robert Plant engineer, Roy Williams, who when first approached for comments said he would make no judgement on the PA unless it was particularly remarkable. After all he says: “For me its one night in one room with one PA and there are many other parameters to take into account.” Plant likes his mix lively and clear, that it certainly was, with up to three of four effects playing into the mix, the differentiation between instruments and voice was stunning. Add to that, the fact that Plants side fills actually dwarfed the VHD system – it was surprising the first few rows didn’t suffer – however during the gig there was apparently no problem at all. After the set Williams said that if he were going to recommend any PA for that room it would be the VHD system and whilst he said he was never entirely happy with a gig, as far as sound was concerned (it encourages complacency on the part of the engineer), he was pleased with the performance of the PA. For its first major showcase in the UK the KV2 VHD system could not have received a more positive response from engineers or audiences alike, the question now surely is; will VHD revolutionize the current pro audio mind set and will it force a more considered application of line array technology in the future? [] S A R A H R U S H T O N-R E A D
Robert Plant: still rockin’… [3 2]
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