The Hibino Corporation, the largest production enterprise for the entertainment industry in Japan, has made its first investment in a Martin Audio Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array (MLA) system.
The MLA acquisition was authorized by the Hibino Corporation’s Sound Division, which has been a market leader in international touring for many years that supports many of the world’s leading artists with premier loudspeaker systems.
The investment is for four MLA System 36 rigs, plus an additional four MLD downfill and four MLX subwoofers. This gives them a combined inventory of 92 MLA, 8 MLD, and 52 MLX enclosures, ensuring a large capability.
The decision to invest was brought about by the need to provide consistent stadium coverage up to 650 feet deep (such as Tokyo Dome), without the need for delay towers. This enables them to deliver clear sound right to the back of the venue and at the same time solve any noise pollution and sound spill issues.
Ryoichi Hashimoto, managing director of Hibino Sound, explains, “We decided on the MLA investment because the promoters of summer outdoor festivals are increasingly demanding the absence of delay towers from festival sites and a need to solve offsite noise issues.
“We also like the fact that its calculation ability is extremely accurate. The benefit of this is that we can get a result that corresponds with what we have planned in the simulation.”
MLA also benefits from its size and weight ratio, which given regulations in Japan mean that the system provides no obstacles for its deployment.
“In Japan, the weight of the rigging is strictly regulated, but MLA’s weight is similar to systems we have used in the past, even though it is powered. So, it is good for us to be able to plan as we did before,” Hashimoto says.
Hibino Sound’s new MLA will be pressed straight into festival duty. “This is the most unique loudspeaker system we have ever had,” concludes Hashimoto. “It will become the new choice for customers since it has the ability to meet all their demands.”
Martin Audio has already completed training for most of Hibino Sound’s system technicians on site, carried out by Chris Pyne, Martin Audio’s technical support specialist in APAC.
Anthony Taylor, managing director of Martin Audio, states, “We’re delighted that MLA continues to prove its technical advantage over the competition and more importantly solving sound issues that face the industry. For the number one rental company in Japan to recognize this is a great honor, and we look forward to supporting Hibino in their success moving forward.”
