LIVERPOOL, UK — Adlib supported the recent John Barrowman tour for with a full technical production package of sound, lighting, AV, staging and crew — the fourth JB tour where Adlib has provided support. The outing included six weeks of sold-out shows around the U.K.
More details from Adlib (www.adlibsolutions.co.uk):
FOH engineer Walter Jaquiss once again specified a Coda Audio LA12 system, following its superlative performance on the last tour. It provided an excellent solution for a variety of venues from arenas to theatres and to concert halls.
Systems tech Kenny Perrin explains that their standard configuration was 12 x LA12 cabinets per-side with a variable amount of LA8 downfills.
For subs, they used two sensor controlled Coda SCPs a side for the standard set up, boosted to four columns of two SCPs along the front of the stage for the arenas. For this tour the dual 18 inch ported product was specified (having used SC8s on the previous one) as it was more compact and preserved sightlines in some of the theatre venues. They are also great for a neat truck pack. They still utilize the award winning signature comparator technology, which feeds back the loudspeaker position within the magnet assembly. This extends and controls the LF response so the subs faithfully reproduce the input signal that enters the amplifier.
The infills were normally four LA8 speakers.
The FOH and monitor consoles were both Soundcraft Vi6s, chosen for the 96 input capacity, which was needed to accommodate Barrowman’s 8 piece band.
Processing was achieved using one of ADLIB’s standard racks combining Lake LM26 and 44s, and the whole system was driven by Coda’s proprietary C10 amps.
Monitors were mixed by LJ Evans, with the band all on IEMs, keeping the stage clean & tidy, for which ADLIB supplied a Sennheiser G3 system and a selection of Shure hard-wireds. Barrowman’s mic was a Shure KSM9 radio mic head on a Shure body.
The main challenges, relates Perrin, were ensuring a smooth coverage with perfect vocal intelligibility for the speaking and ‘banter’ sections and a full, rich sound for the musical numbers. Also, the fine balance of making it loud enough to satisfy the expectations of the younger members of a very mixed demographic audience but not too overpowering for those used to a more sedate sonic experience for their evening out!
Says Perrin, “I’ve used the Coda system a lot over the last year and it still blows me away! The fidelity and consistency of the system is incredible, and really helps us to achieve the goal of optimum coverage throughout the venue”.
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Phil Kielty, Account Manager commented “It’s always a real pleasure for everyone working on John Barrowman’s Tour. John gives it everything on each and every show and his audience realize this and love him for it. Steve Rayment and all the crew make it a real family atmosphere on the road and John’s good fun too. We can’t wait for the next one …. roll on 2012!”
