Install

Supported By
ProSoundWeb
Martin Audio Wavefront Precision arrays and more deliver coverage throughout the new Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre in the UK.

Martin Audio Specified Throughout New Blackpool Conference & Exhibition Centre In The UK

Flexible, reconfigurable system designed by Media Powerhouse​ throughout sprawling, multiuse facility employs Wavefront Precision (WPS) arrays, SX118 subwoofers and more.

The new Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre in the UK is equipped with a complex and reconfigurable sound design throughout, the brainchild of system designer Samuel Williams of Derby-based Media Powerhouse that’s headed by Martin Audio Wavefront Precision (WPS) arrays and supporting components.

The first major building development at the Winter Gardens complex since the construction of the Opera House in 1939, the venue, set on two levels, is one of the largest of its kind in the north of England in providing the necessary infrastructure for hosting modern conferences and exhibitions. Media Powerhouse’s integration includes projection video and lighting technology as well as Martin Audio scalable line arrays in each of the eight rooms.

The exhibition space is set on the first floor, with a large 2,000-capacity conference space on the second floor. It is conceived as four separate but reconfigurable venues on both floors. The space can be combined with other venues throughout the complex to further expand the 7,000 capacity.

Williams, who also acted as the consultant, was aware that the spaces needed to function as both stand-alone spaces or divided into smaller cells with the partitions removed. This would require a flexible technical infrastructure with presets for all technical services available for each room configuration. The venue would need to cater for a raft of different events ranging from the recent political party conference to theatre productions and rock ‘n’ roll performances.

“Martin Audio was [in the frame] from the beginning,” says Williams. “We had briefly looked at another brand, but it wouldn’t have given them what they wanted—from a 15-meter throw up to a 60-meter throw—or the versatility. It needed a different kind of box, and one that was affordable. Initially, we were going to use WPM, but it was not big enough so when Martin Audio released WPS we immediately made the decision to upgrade. It’s certainly one of the better sounding boxes on the market.”

“In fact Martin Audio is putting some serious engineering into its products, where other manufacturers seem to have stopped and are relying too much on digital processing. You look at other waveguide designs and they haven’t changed whereas WPS is a good example of speaker design innovation, both physical as well as digital design.”

With assistance from Martin Audio product support engineer Robin Dibble, he specified 32 WPS elements along with their flying frames divided between the eight rooms, as well as a dozen XD12 stage monitors, 32 Blackline X8 loudspeakers and 12 SX118 subwoofers.

In its basic configuration, the processed arrays are powered from Martin Audio iKON iK42 four-channel amplifiers in two-box resolution, with each pair of array cabinets fed from one amplifier channel. Everything runs on a Dante backbone. “For each usage there is an individual optimization for the WPS arrays, carried out in DISPLAY 2 and stored in the iKON amplifiers,” Williams explains. “We can recall the optimizations automatically via the venue control system depending on the changing configurations. In the first installation of its kind, when the array is changed, the configurations are recalled through the presets.

“Every room has a default setting, and everything works automatically; the system just needs to be told what mode it is in, and all incoming production needs to do is to patch into the system.”

This has been a long-arriving project. “I designed the original layout nearly four years ago,” says Williams, who was responsible for all programming. “After we bid successfully for the job the contract got delayed for a number of years. The venue is now being operated by Blackpool Entertainment Co. Ltd.”

According to deputy head of facilities/technical manager Ben Rooney, “Media Powerhouse has been able to accommodate technical design changes to suit the direction of the business. Sam reassured me that for the required application Martin Audio was far more suited to our business model [than the other brand under consideration] due to its multiple tier offerings.

“Upon hearing WPS as a visiting system in the ballroom prior to the installation I knew it would be a platform we could deploy in all of our large format venues. Media Powerhouse subsequently invited me and complex facilities manager, Phil Jackson, to Martin Audio’s UK factory where we listened to some ADORN and O-Line products which we are currently looking at for installation within some of our other venues as part of our future fitout plans.”

Martin Audio

Install Top Stories

Supported By

Linea Research is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance power amplifiers and DSP controllers for the entertainment, live sound, installed sound and commercial sound markets.