Magdolna Ruzsa Band recently played two concerts at the Papp László Budapest Sportarena reinforced with Martin Audio MLA arrays supplied by BG Event, the company’s partner in Hungary.
Magdolna “Magdi” Rúzsa won the title of Megasztár (Megastar), Hungary’s nationwide talent search in 2006, now performing in the 12,500-capacity venue for two consecutive nights, supported by a classic five-piece rock band. BG Event deployed 46 MLA cabinets and four MLD Downfill enclosures as main PA and side hangs, and also provided stage monitors.
“This is a difficult venue compared to an average arena in Europe due to its larger size,” explains Balázs Szentiványi of BG Event. “It measures 120 meters across by just around 80 meters deep. Moreover, it ends in smooth flat vertical concrete surface and a huge glass sided room for the follow spots. There is a significant slap back with delay coming from there — and there is also a VIP section et the end of the venue high up above last seats.”
He adds that production companies had faced significant challenges at this particular venue over the years. “However, we have had several occasions in recent years when we have been able to demonstrate just what MLA is capable of — including Sir Tom Jones, Sting and Slayer, to name a few. In fact, our technical team is excited every time we go into the Papp László Budapest Sportarena.”
BG Event front of house engineer Gabor Bacskay-Mazsi and system engineer Marci Mezei are both experienced with MLA, having worked frequently with it at the Sziget Festival as well as several other domestic tours. The two jointly evolved the set-up for this particular arena show. Behind the main left PA there was an MLX sub array rigged as well. Contrary to the electronically delayed sub layouts, it was in phase in the full venue and also delivered sufficient volume, even in the upper and rear sections of the room.
In addition to the MLA consignment, the 22 MLX subwoofers were designed to provide bolster LF presence, with 10 boxes rigged on the left flank and the remainder on the ground in 2 x 3 end-fire setup. A further 36 MLA Compact cabinets were deployed as two delay line and near fills. Balazs notes, “We had to be careful with the unwanted reflections — particularly as the farthest and highest location seating in the audience sector was added at the last minute, since the concert was sold out on both days.”
Martin Audio’s proprietary Merlin processors and new DX4.0, as well as a Lake LM44 helped in optimizing the system.
Having worked with Magdi, the band and the technical team for six years BG Event had been confident of being able to produce the desired result –particularly as the FOH engineer has a decade of experience with MLA.
“Yet despite this familiarity, with both the PA and the mixing consoles, it was still surprising that we could achieve 96 dB(A) level—and that in the back-most rows the sound was dynamic yet loads of headroom,” said Balázs Szentiványi in conclusion. “Coverage was excellent in all sectors in the arena, which was an important factor as the audience age ranged between six to 70 years old.”
