If successful, the move could lead to a standardization throughout the McKenzie Group's live venue portfolio. Explaining the rationale, John Northcote told us: "We look at Academy venues from three viewpoints: for full-on shows, for club nights and now for small 400-500 capacity gigs where up-and-coming bands can plug into an existing set-up."
In addition to the new stage set-up in Bristol Marquee Audio has provided FOH augmentation with the first of Soundcraft's new multifunction desks - a 40-frame MH3 - while a 32-input board forms the core of the monitoring system. The set-up also includes one of the first Yamaha DME32 digital matrix processors, with the latest series of input cards, with stage referencing provided by Martin Audio LE400C and JBL SP212A conventional floor monitors, and Martin Audio Blackline H3s supplying side and drum fills. The monitor system is powered by Yamaha's brand new PC Series amplifiers and EQ'd through four BSS FCS-966 Opal Constant Q graphic equalizers. The new set-up ties in neatly with the Academy's existing Thunder Ridge 40K-plus PA system.
Carling Academy Bristol stage/technical manager Paul Glave is delighted with the new installation - particular the MH3s. "These versatile, multi-function desks give us the scope to tailor the sound control facilities to the needs of each particular user. We have also obtained a full selection of compressors, gates and effects from Behringer and Yamaha, as well as BSS graphic equalizers and eight onstage monitor mixes. The industry-standard monitor speakers are matched by quality processing and amplification by Yamaha. Once again, flexibility is an important aspect of onstage monitoring, and this system can be arranged in many ways."
Marquee Audio first worked with the McKenzie Group during the conversion of The Hummingbird into the Carling Academy Birmingham (Nov 2000) and this month they will be installing a full FOH and monitoring system to their own design and specification at the McKenzie Group's latest Academy in Glasgow.
(Ruth Rossington)
