Project manager Martin Connolly confirmed that in order to eliminate sight-line issues caused by traditional loudspeaker delay masts, this tour would feature a distributed 'ring' delay system with loudspeaker arrays hanging directly from the stadia structure.
"We will be placing clusters of amp racks around the stadiums, picking up AC power locally," he states. "We considered a copper based signal distribution system, perhaps using AES3, but because of the distances involved and the need for electrical isolation we soon realised that an optical system was the correct solution.
"With a project of this magnitude we felt that we needed a premium product with excellent UK based support, so we contacted Optocore specialist Andy Huffer at HD Pro Audio to discuss the system."
As a result, Capital purchased eight X6R-FX converters, while Optocore supported the company with the loan of four further systems. This will enable them to distribute the audio and control signals comprehensively to the processors and amp racks - which will be placed in different locations from show to show depending on stadium layout.
"Both Optocore and Andy Huffer have been brilliant," confirmed Capital Sound technical manager, Ian Colville. "I had been looking for an opportunity to buy into this system as it's obviously the way that signal distribution will be going - we made a certain level of investment and Optocore kindly loaned us the rest. We also required a large quantity of fibre and Charlie Cook at Neutrik helped us out by providing about half of the total requirement."
(Jim Evans)
