British rock band Bring Me The Horizon (BMTH) was supported on the recent European leg of its current tour by SSE Audio Group (UK), which oversaw the implementation of the new d&b audiotechnik KSL system, joined by a GSL system, to complement SSE Audio’s d&b GSL package.
KSL is the latest loudspeaker line from d&b, designed to provide broadband directivity control as well as advanced rigging options. It can be used as a stand-alone, self-contained package, a delay, or fill accompaniment to GSL.
“What better way to showcase the new KSL System than on a BMTH tour?” notes Miles Hillyard of SSE Audio Group. “Historically, we have used d&b J8s for their live shows, including the surprise performance at the Reading and Leeds festivals, but for this tour we had the opportunity to upgrade and I offered the KSL system to production manager Rob Highcroft.
“We rigged the KSL as side hangs, to complement the larger GSL main hangs,” Hillyard continues. “The cardioid characteristics of the KSL and GSL were most notable, and the modern drivers make the system sound really transparent.”
The set up consisted of24 GSL8s and four GSL12s for the main hang, a dozen V12s for front fill, 20 KSL8s and four KSL12s for side fill, with 13 SL-SUBs. Audio power was delivered by 48 d&b D80 amplifiers.
Jack Murphy was system technician for the tour: “It was our first time using both the GSL and KSL systems and the cardioid nature of the cabinets was instantly noticeable. Rear rejection levels and ‘cleanliness’ on stage were noted by the band, monitor engineer Jared Daly and FOH engineer Oliver Hutchinson. We all agreed that the system maintains the d&b signature quality in the HF and the lows and low mid-range are fuller and more defined. We were also impressed with the new SL-SUB; the output and quality of them is something else.”
The KSL is smaller than GSL – the ‘K’ stands for ‘kleine’ (small). It brings the SL-Series’ 2-way active design, high SPL and low-frequency cardioid performance to a wider range of applications while sitting within the d&b workflow.
“When the KSL was deployed as a full side hang, its performance was right up there with the GSL,” Murphy continues. “The transition into using it as a side hang and also for delay purposes, as it was used for the Alexandra Palace shows, was seamless.”
During the central Europe dates, venues varied from flat floors to arenas to theatres of different sizes and shapes. “The relatively lightweight nature of the GSL and KSL cabinets means we could always fly the appropriate number, not just enough, whether it was in one, two or three-point configurations,” Murphy explains. “We also used the KSL as a small ground stack in situations where flying points weren’t available, or where a full side hang was not necessary. Even a small, 4-box ground stack gave a great full mix.”
BMTH tours North America in spring 2019 where SSE will also be supplying a KSL System.
