France-based event technology specialist Loops-Live recently expanded its CODA Audio inventory by investing in compact CiRAY line arrays that were deployed in support of the recent Octopus Rap Event 2024 held at the Salle Hermione, Saint Brieuc, Brittany.
Comprising three nights of entertainment, the Diogène Productions event’s headliners included French hip hop band IAM, and rappers Leto and Ziak. Having first invested CODA Audio in 2021, Loops-Live became the first French company to acquire CiRAY arrays
Mathieu Lefort, director at Loops-Live, explains, “Our first CODA system was based around N-APS and HOPS, which we bought to take care of our TV Studio LE LOFT. As well as staging broadcasts, we also use this space for premium afterwork parties and events. We were really impressed with the system, so when it was time to upgrade more of our aging audio inventory, CODA Audio was the obvious choice.
“While we handle maybe two or three music festivals a year, our main focus up to now has been corporate events — many of which have a music performance element. This prompted us to look at going further into the music sector and being able to comfortably deal with bigger venues. The timing of our interest coincided with the imminent release of CiRAY, and once we’d heard and seen the system and experienced its size/performance ratio, we didn’t hesitate. We have also added CoRAY, N-RAY, and CUE FOUR monitors to our inventory.”
The Octopus Rap event played to a standing audience of just under 2,400, where the main challenges were to manage the low frequencies and make sure that the balcony at the back of the venue was fully covered. Engineer Xavier Bassi worked upstream with CODA’s System Optimiser prediction software to help ensure that CiRAY was deployed to maximum effect. As the main PA, CiRAY was rigged with SC2-F subs and supplemented with SCV-F and SCP-F subwoofers in front of the stage. The system was supplemented with N-RAY (for the balcony) and HOPS8 &12 for front fill, in fill and side fill, and driven by CODA Audio LINUS14 DSP amplification.
Mathieu concludes, “We are proud that this was the first deployment of CiRAY at an event in France. The PA was perfect for the venue and delivered great performance. At first, some of the artists’ staff were doubtful about the size of the system, but once we’d sound-checked, all the engineers were more than happy with CiRAY!”
