The most recent tour of Burn The Floor, a high-intensity live dance show that since its formation in 1997 (for Elton John’s birthday party) has performed in more than 130 countries worldwide, is being supported by UK-based audio provider dBS Solutions employing its latest acquisition, Martin Audio Wavefront Precision (WPS) line arrays.
dBS Solutions managing Chris Bogg says that having previously provided sound reinforcement for the Kevin & Karen tour that featured Strictly dancers Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer, it’s become a genre in which they’ve found themselves specializing. “Burn The Floor is loud, high energy rock music — a combination of live band, vocalists and music to track,” he explains.
The latest iteration — featuring a cast of up to 15 — has been touring UK theatres with up to 20 (2 x 10) WPS enclosures, four DD6 for front fills and four WS218X subs in L/R stacks, while in the stalls four XD15 fill any coverage gaps as necessary. The system is driven in 1-box resolution with iKON iK81 amplifiers, with an iK42 assigned to the subs.
Bogg, who designed the system in conjunction with front of house engineer Joe Baker, notes that the producers have been impressed with the system, particularly with the evenness of coverage across the seating areas: “This became more evident at the two venues so far where we have had to play through house systems, and they have immediately noticed a huge difference.”
Baker who shares duties with system/stage engineer James Malcolm, adds, “WPS is perfect for the show, and we have received only compliments for the audio quality. The consistent coverage from the very front seat to the very back makes my life as an engineer extremely easy. Knowing every seat is getting the same experience means I can focus on mixing the show.
“From design to rigging to sound check to show the consistency and intuitive workflow of DISPLAY 2 optimization software and VU-NET control software and the physical array in the space is something I have never come across before. The results I get in DISPLAY 2 transfer perfectly into the physical environment without any need for adjustment or compromise, while loading the array preset is extremely easy.”
