In the finale of a day-long series of events (collectively known as Sparks Will Fly: Essex) the action moved to Hyland Park where local sound company Event Sound & Light (ESL) fielded the largest combined RCF TT+ PA system yet seen in the UK. The company was working alongside Chelmsford City Council, who were responsible for staging the event, and their production company, Walk The Plank, who devised the concept for the pageant, closing event and street theatre style performance.
ESL director Paul Galley confirms that to equip a main stage measuring 50m wide, 2m deep and 2m high they supplied a pair of 7.5m high V-mast towers to hang six active TTL55-A line array elements per side, with three RCF TTS56-A double 21in subwoofers. In addition the company featured centre fill ground stacks comprising four TTL33-A enclosures on top of side-stacked TTS28-A subs.
Some 70m down the field behind the FOH position, a centre delay consisting of four TTL55-A's was mounted on top of a pair of TTS56-A subs, using the dedicated flying frame. Finally, a further pair of TTL33-A's were deployed for side fill and monitor duties.
The system was set up using RCF's RDNet, a dedicated TT+ networking board. This makes it possible to monitor all system parameters, from the input to the status of each single amplifier and address the specific cabinet presets, adjusting parameters such as gain, equalisation or delay.
The event was open air with no roof coverings and due to the gloomy weather predictions ESL replaced the RCF TT25-SMA wedges with line array side-fills as they had the waterproof protection.
This fastidious tuning and system set-up translated to a 12,000 strong crowd who assembled for an event culminating in the unveiling of an extraordinary glass bead representing Chelmsford, created by local artists (with the final piece carried by the Red Devils parachute team).
The Glass Bead Game itself revolved around two great champions, the giant figures of Boreas Zephyr and Marina Mightier, who having completed their marathon journeys across Essex, came face-to-face for the first time. The denouement was the stunning finale with pyrotechnics, special effects and a spectacular firework display earlier in the day.
The main audio requirement was to reinforce the presenters' radio vocal mic and the show's backing soundtrack (and FX) along with time coded audio for the fireworks and pyrotechnic show.
Explaining the design rationale, Galley stated, "Due to the extremely wide stage and dimensions, we chose to use the large format TTL55-A line array to cover the main audience area with the TTL33-A to evenly cover the front audience. Working outside was difficult in this weather, but having access to a telehandler made setting up the primary system easy, with the forking points on the TTL55-A and TTS56-A wheelable dollies."
(Jim Evans)
