Quick & Easy
The main system is headed by d&b audiotechnik J Series line array modules – 112 boxes total – deployed in a variety of configurations that can vary from 270- to 360-degree coverage. Main arrays, which are flown, are made up of J8, J12, and J-SUB, while d& b Q1 2-way loudspeakers handle center fill and Q10 2-ways provide front fill.
“With the amount of activity occurring each day with stage construction, video towers, the lighting rig, there’s barely anywhere to put any audio equipment,” notes Paddy Hocken, system tech and crew chief, as well as Skan PA Hire’s full-time resident employee for the tour.
“If you tried to put 112 loudspeakers on the floor, there’d be no room for anything else,” he continues. “We use stacking dollies, leaving the bumpers attached, connecting all the boxes as we go, so that when it goes up, there’s nothing on the floor.”
All looms are ready to go, each with four Socapex connectors that facilitate fast, easy interconnect. Similarly, the 100 d&b D12 power amplifiers driving all loudspeakers are pre-wired and self-contained on their own carts.
“The XL4 console at Front of House feeds the drive racks via an Apogee Rosetta 800 that provides A/D conversion,” Hocken notes. “The signal is transferred to 96 kHz AES, which first goes to a Dolby Lake Processor that Marc uses.”
From there, signal goes directly to the D12 amps, with latency at a bare minimum. “It’s a really clean signal,” states Hocken. “We also have it completely backed up with analog AES cable. It’s wired left and right, with analog carrying the same signal for redundancy.”
System control and networking is accomplished with d&b R1 control software and CAN bus cabling infrastructure, the latter allowing conversion from CAT 5 to XLR connectors if needed. “Any connections are made on one multi-pin, so we’re not dealing with little Ethernet connectors that could easily become detached,” he adds. “All of our cabling uses proper locking connectors.”
Hocken tunes the system prior to each gig, using Ascendo Room Tools software that was recommended to him by d&b. “It’s absolutely great. It’s a little bit like (Meyer Sound) SIM. where you can range out areas you need to look at.”
“We get little time to run noise through the system—maybe two tracks—so this software allows me to work throughout the day without affecting others’ work,” Hocken explains. “It only produces a subtle sweep tone, which I can use to time-align the system whenever I want to without disrupting other departments.”
The arrays go up very quickly, depending upon local riggers of course, with about 100 flypoints necessary regardless of configuration. “The d&b system is great for this tour. Using another manufacturer’s loudspeakers, we would have to carry three or four different types of boxes to cover all the venues,” states Hocken.
“With the J Series, we can carry the same loudspeakers and use them in all the venues,” he continues. “That was a big deal breaker in selecting them – we wanted the same box everywhere. Plus, it’s much lighter than a lot of competitive products, which is always a benefit.”
Carolan is pleased with how the PA has been sounding on the tour. “It’s just fantastic. I was a long-time user of other loudspeakers, but I came across the J Series and simply loved it. Being a single-box solution, I know what’s going on everywhere in the venue at all times since they’re the same.”