United Kingdom (June 22, 2012)—Bristol-based SXS recently provided full technical production for the royal unveiling of the Cutty Sark clipper in Greenwich. This followed a £50m restoration project as a result of fire damage to the 143-year-old ship back in 2007.
SXS was tasked with constructing and outfitting a dais stage, while the PA was the company’s new Martin Audio W8LM line array. The production company deployed a total of 12 W8LM Mini Line Array enclosures in two hangs, with two W8LMD Downfills at the base of each hang. This was driven by Lab.gruppen fP series amps and controlled using XTA DSPs.
Attended by both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the launch took place at the Cutty Sark Gardens and the event included a 90-piece symphony orchestra and 400-member choir. The Martin Audio system also provided reinforcement for the Queen’s speech and took further live feeds from inside the Cutty Sark.
“The Martin Audio W8LM is our latest major audio investment and I was delighted to be able to use it for this event,” said Johnny Palmer, production manager, SXS Events. “Our sound department has been booming over the last year and we felt it time we invested in a system that allowed for accurate and even coverage. The W8LM is…be our system of choice when entrusted with highly demanding, high quality production.”
Alex Thompson, Head of Sound at SXS, added, “This show was all about clarity, headroom and maximum gain before feedback––all core principles of our approach to sound. Being an orchestral performance, the role of the system was to reinforce the sound transparently and ideally not be noticed at all, and that’s precisely what it did.”
As for the event in Greenwich, this formed part of a major community engagement program, and as a result, the Cutty Sark now occupies a new setting. The clipper is now displayed 11 feet above its dry berth on the Thames and the space under the three-masted vessel is home to an interactive museum where visitors can learn about its history.
Martin Audio
www.martin-audio.com
