System Sound and Light used Wavefront W8L and W8LC line array systems recently in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace, home to the 11th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The event was a Classic Proms concert, with the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra conducted by Roderick Dunk.

The audience were treated to popular classics including Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro, Hungarian Rhapsody No 2, The Blue Danube Waltz and Summertime, with British crowd pleasers Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp And Circumstance. The concert featured soprano Annette Wardell, who sung to an estimated 280 million audience during the 2002 FA Cup Final.
A spectacular firework display accompanied Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and the evening was rounded off with an old favourite, 633 Squadron.

The concert was just one of a three-month season of Classic Proms, Music from the Movies and 70s Tribute Band concerts playing to appreciative audiences in parks and stately homes across England this summer.

The Blenheim Palace sound system comprised stereo columns of ten Martin Audio 3-way W8L line array cabinets per side, augmented with Martin Audio WSX subwoofers.

The W8L columns were powered by Martin Audio MA4.2s power amplifiers and controlled using multi channel band zoning* for smooth acoustic-to-amplified transition and extended coverage.

Band Zoning

*When line arrays are used for long throw applications air absorption can cause significant high frequency attenuation at low humidity. Progressive mid and high frequency shelving is applied to the upper zones of W8L columns to partially compensate for this air absorption. This progressive shelving is called band-zoning because one extra mid frequency band and two extra high frequency bands drive the upper zones of the line array.

Standard W8L presets configure the controller to produce these extra bands for a wide range of column lengths and humidity conditions. This simple Martin Audio technique delivers remarkably consistent sound quality over the whole venue.

All column curves were calculated using Martin Audio’s ViewPoint™ software. ViewPoint™ calculates the optimum inter-cabinet splay angles for the smoothest coverage given basic information about the venue, available loudspeakers, grid height etc. ViewPoint™ also gives useful rigging information including motor loads and safety factors for a given configuration.
Delay towers were installed to cover the extended audience expected after a favourable weather forecast. Each tower had six W8LC Compact line array cabinets powered by Martin Audio MA2.8s power amplifiers and, again, controlled using multi-channel band zoning.

Band zoning the delay system provided an incredibly smooth transition from the main system and provided extended coverage. Simon Biddulph, MD of System Sound and technical director of Performing Arts Management, was enthusiastic. “The W8L/W8LC system was exceptionally good and exceeded our expectations. The W8LC’s threw a very
long way”.

The Blenheim Classic Proms was mixed by industry veteran Richard Sharratt, who is well known for his unflappable engineering of large-scale events including BBC’s Proms in the Park, Hyde Park VE Day Celebrations and performances by Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Montserrat Caballe. Richard has also worked on countless operas such as Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and Verdi’s Aida at the Royal Albert Hall.
He was also responsible for the excellent sound design on the West End and Stuttgart productions of Disney’s Beauty
and the Beast.

Richard praised the Martin Audio W8L system. “Having recently worked with a variety of other manufacturers’ systems it was a relief to get back to the Martin Audio line array. I really enjoyed being able to use plenty of low end – the system is very controlled off axis so there was no risk of feedback”.

System Sound and Light and Richard Sharratt will be out stirring up the crowds with the Martin Audio W8L/W8LC System again soon providing sound for this year’s BBC Proms in the Park.