The Knie family opted for a VerTec Line Array system to fill the 3,000-capacity big top. Supplied by Swiss distributor Dr. W. A. Günther, the music and playback system consists of 12 JBL VerTec VT 4887, underpinned by three JBL CSR82 subs - all powered by Crown MacroTech. The vocal system and delays are carried by 10 JBL AE AC2212 powered by Crown XS, while the brace of BSS Soundweb 9088 DSP devices store the crossover and EQ gain settings as presets, and handle the signal routing. The mixing consoles are equally highly specified with a 32-channel Soundcraft MH3 multi-mode desk in the front of house position and a 24-input chassis at the stage end.
The Knie Circus stages on average 358 presentations across 240 days in 47 different towns during the course of a year. Total build time for the big top (and creation of the technical infrastructure) is an amazing five hours.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
