Lincoln University’s new multipurpose venue, the £5 million Engine Shed, opened with an inaugural performance from UK indie band Embrace. Technical systems specialists Stage Electrics supplied and installed a complete entertainment system that included a EAW loudspeaker system.
According to EAW systems application specialist Steve Badham, the key criterion for the audio installation was flexibility. Comprising three bars and two performance spaces of 750 capacity (1,500 capacity when combined), as well as shops and cafés, there were a number of areas to be taken into consideration. The main front-of-house system is a KF850 rig comprising two KF850zF cabinets and two SB850zR subs per side, with an LA215 stage monitoring system. The secondary system, which can act as a stand-alone rig if the room is being used separately or as a delay to the main system if the whole space is required, comprises two EAW AX344 three-way full-range loudspeakers with an additional SB850zR sub per side.
“We understood from the outset that high quality and high power went without saying,” explains Badham. “When you’ve got a lineup that comprises bands like Embrace, The Zutons, The Charlatans, Cooper Temple Clause and the Beautiful South in the next three months alone, you’re talking about a full professional live system, which explains our decision to go for the KF850 as the primary rig. It provides a real ‘live’ feel to the music.
“However, we also had to bear in mind that this system had to be flexible both in terms of configuration and purpose,” continues Badham “We decided on the EAW AX Series for the secondary system. AX is designed to deliver high-fidelity audio for both live music and playback—a DJ, for instance. Using a combination of KF850 and the AX Series allowed us to offer the best of both worlds, either separately or with one another.”
Engine Shed also features a mezzanine bar with a capacity of 250 that required an audio system that could be incorporated into the main system on a delay or act independently. Stage Electrics opted to install a UB52, two MK5394 cabinets and a SB250zR sub per side. “The MK5394 is ideally suited for this sort of work,” comments Stage Electrics’ Davie Bell. “It’s a compact installation loudspeaker that is designed to act as the main P.A. for smaller venues or for distribution or fill purposes in larger venues.”
Processing throughout the venue is handled by four EAW MX8750 digital processors with a Soundweb for matrixing.
The main entrance atrium bar is furnished with a foreground music system comprising six VR62 high-definition two-way loudspeaker cabinets and four VR61 cabinets, which are supplemented by two FR250z subs for low-frequency reinforcement. Two Sky TV/sports bars upstairs are equipped with 10 CIS400 ceiling speakers and three SB48z subwoofers.
For more information on EAW, visit www.eaw.com.
