Epic Studios TV and entertainment center in Norwich, England has added a permanent installation of Martin Audio MLA Compact line arrays following a £250,000 investment in new technology after a shoot-out between many premier brands.
Technical manager, Matt Rabong says, “After contacting Richard Van Nairn, Martin Audio brought in a system for a demo day, when I also tested many other systems. We ultimately chose MLA for its sound quality, particularly the punchy subs and its ‘Hard Avoid’ feature, which allows us to steer the sound away from our roof where the most leakage is, as well as our back wall which houses our production gallery.”
Their previous PA had also been a Martin Audio system, comprising Wavefront W8C and WSX subs as well as F12s as stage monitors. “I was very happy to stick with Martin Audio as I trusted the brand to deliver great sound quality as well as supporting a British manufacturer,” he continued. The W8Cs and F12s will remain in service as sidefills when required.”
The new system comprises 12 x MLA Compact (six elements per L/R hang), eight DSX subs, five CDD-LIVE 15s plus a CSX-LIVE 118 sub, eight LE200 wedge monitors plus all necessary amps and distro. Epic Studios also invested in upgraded digital mixing desks for front of house and monitors.
The rig was supplied and installed by locally-based Saturn Audio Visual, while Martin Audio’s product support engineer, Ben Tucker assisted with the install and staff training.
The initiative—which began last year with an additional £250,000 investment in lighting and effects—is part of a drive to establish Epic Studios as a top-tier small arena, with plans to increase capacity towards its full-scale 3,000-strong audience area.
The facility will now be used by third parties as well as their own promotions. It is already fully customizable for events of all type/size/function etc. to include television programs, sporting events, arena gigs and intimate shows. Rabong says they will also be holding MLA training for local sound engineers to get hands-on experience and hear it in action.
“We are now following through ambitions of increasing capacity and installing state-of-the-art facilities to cement our reputation as a world-class small arena and the best in East Anglia, offering the ultimate experience for both the audience and performing artists alike,” concludes owner/director, Jonathan Thursby.
