Managing director Andrew Pygott made the decision to purchase 16 of the mid-high enclosures, along with eight WS218X subs and a pair of DX2 processors, based on recommendation. They have also configured the drive racks to accommodate six new Martin Audio MA5.2K amplifiers, with an MA12K driving the bottom end.
Pygott said the system was purchased as soon as his company knew they had won the contract to supply sound reinforcement for this year's Isle of Man TT Races during the first fortnight in June. Each night a concert will be staged in the Villa Marina Gardens in Douglas, but it is Whitesnake - the main headliner during the week-long Festival - that will provide the W8LC with its first serious test.
While Huddersfield-based Innovation Productions will rig their entire complement of loudspeakers for the occasion (in two hangs of eight), Andy Pygott knows that his purchase will also allow different configurations to be fielded for conferences and awards dinners, depending on the size of the event.
Innovation Productions has been a supplier of Martin Audio systems for hire and permanent installation for around two years "but this purchase is on a different scale". Pygott adds, "We also specialise in working on luxury liners and first came across the Martin brand in use on the QE2.
"Although we looked at other systems before purchasing, the W8LC was heavily recommended and we realised that there were good cross-hire opportunities. With our rental fleet we like to remain loyal to the companies we trust as suppliers, and it gives clients added confidence in the brand if you are running one of their systems in your own rental fleet."
(Jim Evans)
