The delay taps - and all the system settings - are contained in a combination of XTA DP-224 and DP-226 digital processors, with head system engineer Scott Scherban carrying out remote management via XTA's proprietary AudioCore software, loaded onto his MAC laptop. Eddie's long-time sound engineer George Glossop said that having a fast-rig/derig system and digital signal path were essential in being able to implement a series of back-to-back dates.
"We had presented this set-up for Eddie's Amnesty International event at Wembley three years ago We Know Where You Live - Live!, when the idea of a tour was mooted two years ago we knew we could do it, but could we do it back-to-back? By using XTA we could run digital lines and save half a ton of copper, while we went for twin motors on the Line Array."
A regular freelancer with Delicate Productions in the States, Scherban was familiar with both the attributes of the Martin Line Array and XTA DSP when he was flown in to support Capital Sound's system tech Ross Anderson. Both he and Glossop praised the sound system design. "The Line Array simply flies in and out of the venue - in fact we are back on the bus before the lighting people," says Glossop. "The rigging system is great and the two motors enable us to add tilt and adjustment once we have carried out the initial alignment. By changing the motor by one or two links on the chain we can project the HF right up the auditorium. The power is scary."
The W8LC's wide range of array curvatures can be optimized using the system's ViewPoint predictive software. In that respect, Glossop also praised the work of the tour's head rigger, Dave Rowe of The Rigging Partnership. Both the power of the sound system and Eddie's somewhat cavalier use of a handheld Sennheiser E865 condenser mic are beasts which the XTA has needed to tame. The front-of-house stereo three-way mix is performed on a Yamaha DM2000, and across the vocal channel is an XTA SiDD digital insert, providing dynamic comp/limiting function. The system is EQ'd fairly flat. Scherban's AudioCore WiFi set up gives him virtual network control of XTA DP-224's and DP-226's, offering precise system management of the component parts of the W8LC/W8C/WSX and W2 system. (The 226's are assigned to the line array while further DP-224's are added depending on the delay configuration).
"Having one server and one rack-mount computer provides an efficient means of being able to remotely sound check shows," Scherban says. "It allows me to roam around freely and make any adjustment. I have been using a MAC because it has built-in WiFi while the use of AudioCore in conjunction with the ViewPoint predictive programme covers us for any eventuality." Scherban is especially impressed with the way Martin Audio have scaled down their line array architecture. "Maintaining the three-way horn loading has ensured similar characteristics to the W8L - but it now means you can fly 16 boxes off a one-ton motor.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
