The John Madejski Academy in Reading, UK, which specializes in sports, will have capacity for approximately 1,100 students with a state-of-the-art auditorium and separate dance/drama studio, provided by Leicester-based Hawthorn Theatrical. Hawthorn turned to Martin Audio sound reinforcement components as part of its A/V design model.
According to Hawthorn’s installation manager, Simon Ling, the versatility of the AQ Series meets the many requirements of a general-purpose assembly hall, while the textured light-gray factory finish also provides a remarkable environmental color match.
“The AQ Series is a great-sounding product that fits within budget and does not require a vast amount of processing,” he says. “On top of that, the AQ boxes are relatively compact, quick to install, and the muted-gray finish is just perfect in this context.”
What little processing is required is stored digitally in an Allen & Heath iDR8 DSP, while the different A/V playback presets are accessed via an AMX remote handheld touch screen.
On the front bar above the stage are also clamped a pair of AQ15s (using Hawthorn’s bespoke flying frames), reinforced on each side by a pair of matching AQ212 subs. These are in-filled on the second truss with four AQ10s.
Hawthorn has also made provision for live mixing via an Allen & Heath MixWizard 16:2, and rigged a mobile rack (including radio mics) that can either be plugged into the control room or wheeled down to the front of the assembly hall.
Hawthorn Theatrical equipped the Drama Studio—where a single Martin Audio AQ12 is flown in each of the four corners—as well as a recording studio, which will also be used as part of the Academy’s curriculum.
For more information on the the Martin Audio gear, visit www.martin-audio.com.
