The In Schwarz Tour 2015 was launched initially in Austria and Switzerland, building up to 5,000-12,000 capacity venues in Germany by the end of March. Comments from the band and the audience, coupled with posts on social networking sites, indicate that the tour has already been a great success and acoustically has left no wish unfulfilled.
Kraftklub has followed the platinum-selling album Mit K and successful club tour with the In Schwarz second album - which sets a new milestone in the young band's career. The blend of indie beats, punk rock and rap with the thoughtful German lyrics has attracted fans across all genres.
Therefore, it was important for the production to reproduce the high-energy performance, and Complete Audio MD André Rauhut knew these requirements were best served by the Martin Audio MLA. His objective was to use a scalable sound system that would fit all venue sizes.
Nils Uhthoff, Complete Audio's system engineer, explains the concept, "For the action-packed show and the powerful sound of Kraftklub we are using a 20-box Martin Audio MLA system and four MLD Downfills, which are an important part of the MLA system." The two down-fills, which are hung at the base, increase the efficiency of the entire multi-cellular array set-up because they can provide up to 15m throw in the region of the first rows.
Providing LF extension are 14 Martin Audio MLX subs. Any delay positions and necessary out-fills are handled by up to a further 20 MLA Compact elements with an easy and barely audible transition to achieve perfect EQ optimisation.
"With the Martin Audio DISPLAY 2 software, I can change the angle of the PA in each venue as necessary, to achieve the best audio for the audience," continues Uhthoff. "The software supports me perfectly in every hall calculation. At Complete Audio we have challenged ourselves on this tour to ensure every note is right - and the Martin Audio MLA technology fulfils that goal perfectly."
FOH engineer Nico Lindner mixes the sound on two Midas Pro 2 consoles ensuring the lyrics are heard despite the feverish noise and singing of the audience. The second mixing desk is in a support capacity, for use as necessary, because in the past many a beer mug has strayed in the FOH area.
Monitor engineer Kai Gerner works on a Yamaha QL5, mixing Shure IEMs. But Complete Audio have also supplied 10 Martin Audio LE1500 stage wedges as well as a Martin Audio - WS218X drum-fill.
(Jim Evans)
