Encore's John Tinline explains that sound engineer AIan Hopkinson has been working with Neil Pickles, a director of Alchemea for some time in an advisory role as their head of live sound. He was given the challenging task of specifying a system that would both attract promoters and bands back to the newly kitted out Fridge, and simultaneously be suitable for realising the Alchemea Live Sound Diploma's educational requirements.
John Tinline comments, "This Encore PA design will enable the students to learn on the industry standard traditional equipment, like the Midas XL3, which they will still encounter for some years as working engineers in addition to the latest technology, digital consoles, amps and line arrays with delays. Apart from that - there is no use turning out sound engineers who have only worked on one level of kit - the system had to sound fantastic, be appropriate for the room and come in on budget."
Hopkinson - who continues as head of live sound for Alchemea at The Fridge - specified that the system should be a d&b J-Series - having used it very successfully touring with Tool. He also wanted to ensure that promoters, artists and engineers unable to bring in their own PA due to no roof weight loading for flying at The Fridge would be more than happy with the house system.
The no flying scenario presented an interesting sonic conundrum, namely ground stacking the J-Series. Careful positioning is crucial to this exercise to preserve the integrity of the line array, but it was a task dexterously achieved by the Encore team. Per side are thyree J8 elements, one B2 and 2 J-SUBS, with a further two J8s a side to cover the balcony area, located approximately 10ft above the stage level on a scaffolding gantry.
(Jim Evans)
