"We were the biggest UK user of V-dosc in 2001," commented Brit Row director Mike Lowe."Dave Bracey got stunning results for the Robbie Williams tour, ranging from the Swing While You’re Winning concert at the Royal Albert Hall to the summer stadium shows Oasis and Offspring also toured with large systems. Becoming a Network member was a natural progression. The fact that Brit Row now offers what we consider the two best Line Array systems available should not be seen as a conflict of interest. Their own manufacturers will be the first to say that the two systems are distinctly different, something we saw very early on. Several sound engineers with whom we have long established relationships were asking for different PAs for different applications. We believe it good business to offer equally well developed solutions to those requirements." Britannia Row’s V-dosc/dV-dosc inventory is now the largest in the UK network.
Back at the beginning of 2001, Brit Row, the largest stockholder of Flashlight in Europe, made the conversion from Mk1 to Mk II. "As soon as we heard the new Mk II we knew we’d have to upgrade our entire system," said Grant. During last year the upgrades were beta tested by various engineers including Gary Bradshaw with Depeche Mode and Rick Pope with Jamiroquai and based on their recommendations the entire system has now been converted. Jon Lemon, a respected live engineer who was closely involved in the development of the original Flashlight explained how users benefit from the change. "There was always a lack of high-end out around 100 metres. A combination of new drivers has addressed this, matching the power of the low mids, which always reached the far end of arena venues. It’s also brought an unexpected benefit for smaller rooms as well. The Mk I had a dip around 12kHz that required a boost, never an ideal solution; the new drivers now produce a bump in the same band. Overall there’s more high end, subjectively you can get more ‘air’ out of the system."
As Britannia Row continued the conversion process, their newly arrived EV X-Line system received its first big test at the start of the Summer. "We knew the system was well suited to large outdoor shows," explained Grant. "We were asked to provide sound for the BBC Radio 1’s ‘Big Sunday’ shows which took place in various parks throughout the UK, attracting audiences of up to 80,000. The system covered brilliantly."
Following a successful summer season for Radio 1, Brit Row’s X-Line has seen action on a variety of contracts, being used for the MOBOs at Docklands and new Top of the Pops Awards show broadcast from the Manchester Evening News Arena in the run up to Christmas. Its most recent outing was the Radio One New Years Eve concert for 30,000 people in Belfast’s city centre.
Smaller packages have not been neglected. The company has bought a large number of TQ440SP and TQ425SP cabinets and these have been used on projects such as the BAFTAS, a Bond theatre tour and WWA arena tour. "This is plug and play at its best," commented Grant "combining the convenience and space saving of a self-powered box with the most demanding audio requirements. We can’t get enough of them."
(Ruth Rossington)
