MANCHESTER, U.K. — Adlib has designed and installed an L-Acoustics dV-DOSC sound system for Band on the Wall, a 350-capacity venue that dates back some 200 years. It has been associated with live music for much of its heritage. The name comes from the 1930s, when musicians used to perform from precarious platforms strapped to the wall. Band on the Wall was recently renovated, restored and reborn by registered charity Inner City Music with the help of a £4 million combined award from the Arts Council England, Manchester City Council and Lottery Heritage Fund.
Adlib’s Roger Kirby designed the system. He first set up some demonstrations featuring different audio systems at Adlib in Liverpool before the dV-DOSC was chosen.
Kirby and Adlib used L-Acoustics’ Sound Vision to evaluate speaker placement to optimize coverage for the room, which has a semicircular balcony toward the rear.
“We all agreed that dV-DOSC rig would work best in the space offering a detailed high frequency and solid low end response, with the system also having adequate headroom for the eclectic program of live events that are planned,” Kirby added.
The system is designed to handle a wide range of musical genres, from jazz to dance (including DJs), rock to soul. The venue will also be used for a variety of music-based educational programs.
The main audio system includes three dV-DOSC mid highs with a single dV-sub flown as of left and right hangs, with two dV-DOSC flown centrally to cover the balcony. The system is completed with three SB28 subs with pair of Adlib AA81 cabinets used as center fills providing coverage to the area directly in front of the stage.
The control playback rack includes BSS FDS 960 graphics for grab EQ and Tascam CD-RW / CD playback machines along with an ASL Communication’s system.
A Soundcraft Vi4 was specified as the main mixing console for the venue. The Vi4’s MADI output allows all 48 input channels plus stereo mix to be sent to the Band on the Wall’s recording studio for capture should this be required.
For monitors, Adlib supplied eight of their bi-amped low profile 1515W “MP3” wedges. These are processed with BSS 334 mini-drive crossovers and driven by Crown XTi1000 and 4000 power amplifiers.
There is no monitor desk as such in the house rig. The eight monitor sends are all handled by the Soundcraft Vi4 at FOH, however there is a 48 channel multi-core infrastructure with break in/out facilities. This will allow swift patching to any visiting monitor console when artists require a dedicated monitor mix.
Adlib also supplied a full package of mics and stands, including Shure, BSS, Sennheiser, AKG and DPAs, and BSS AR133 active DI boxes. The gear is housed in custom Adlib-manufactured sleeves and flight cases.
The main challenge of the project was helping to design the new PA flying facilities that entailed custom structural steel work being newly installed in the venue’s roof.
Adlib worked closely with the Shed km architects and all main building contractors to ensure they could get their flown cabinets accurately positioned and the subs appropriately ensconced beneath the stage.
“Adlib has proven itself to be an exemplary company throughout the entire sound install process at Band on the Wall,” said Gavin Sharp, the venue’s CEO.
“Not only have they completed the install of probably the finest PA in any small scale venue in the U.K. on time and on budget, they also made a huge contribution to the final design of the rigging, sound and AV studios, through positive relations with other contractors and system designers.”
For more information, please visit www.adulibaudio.co.uk.
