Bristol, UK-based experiential and party planning specialists PYTCH recently supplied local event organizers Alfresco Disco with a system headed by Martin Audio loudspeakers and supporting components for a classic warehouse-based dance party attended by more than 2,000.
Comprising two stages, the sound needed to be carefully optimized to cope with the all-nighter’s early proceedings as an echoey warehouse to ramping up the volume once the venue was packed. In addition, Chelsea Hopkins of PYTCH notes that care also had to be taken to avoid sound escape in a densely packed residential area.
“Although the bass was powerful the sound was directional and well contained, resulting in minimal disruption for local residents,” Hopkins states. This was assisted by a cardioid pattern sub array that helped in reducing the impact of troublesome low frequencies.
PYTCH has been staging parties for Alfresco for the past five years. For this event, guests could locate in the back of the warehouse out into the yard and smaller warehouse, where PYTCH had an LED wall set up as part of its studio.
To satisfy the audio requirements in supporting a succession of DJs, PYTCH equipped the main stage with 12 flown Martin Audio W8LM mini line array elements underpinned with 10 WS218X subwoofers. These were all ground stacked, one array of three either side of the stage directly under the line array and four under the stage in an endfire array to fill in the low end for the middle of the room.
A pair of W8LMD provided additional downfill coverage and a further pair of Blackline XP118 powered subwoofers supplied further low frequency support. Two more W8LM enclosures were ground-stacked on the lip of the stage to provide center fill. The design was conceived by the service company’s in-house tech team led by a member of their wider network, George Chandler.
The smaller second stage was located in ‘The Virtual Venue, by day a broadcast, virtual production and recording studio that ran vinyl records alongside CDs. Here the production company fielded a pair of W8C compact tops and second stack raised to listening height as well as WS218 subs.
Reflecting on the event, PYTCH sound tech Simon Gore, who mixed the main stage, remarked on the even coverage throughout the space, saying “I was really impressed at the even coverage. The Martin Audio rig responded brilliantly, delivering perfect tone with masses of headroom.” And Chelsea Hopkins added that thanks to the precautions they had taken the event was a complete success.
“The sound system was fantastic and we’re not aware of any noise complaints during the event, which is fantastic,” Hopkins concludes. “In fact the feedback we had from organizers and attendees was that it sounded incredible.”
