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Delicate Productions Supports Train Tour With MLA

Train is just wrapping up their sold-out “California 37” tour on the heels of their sixth studio album of the same name that has already produced the certified platinum single “Drive By” (#10 on Billboard’s Hot 100), and “50 Ways to Say Goodbye.”

Based in San Francisco, Train consists of a core trio comprising Pat Monahan (vocals), Jimmy Stafford (guitar) and Scott Underwood (drums). Over the years, the band has produced successful albums such as their eponymous debut Train with hits including “Free” and “Meet Virginia;” Drops of Jupiter, which yielded the Grammy award winning single “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me);” My Private Nation with their third Top 20 hit “Calling All Angels” and Save Me San Francisco in 2009 with the catchy, ukulele-based “Hey Soul Sister,” a quintuple platinum hit and Grammy Award winner.

The California 37 tour started in Canada and has ranged throughout North America in a variety of venues including amphitheatres, arenas and theaters. Delicate Productions of Camarillo and San Francisco, who has already successfully deployed Martin Audio’s award-winning MLA (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array) system with Selena Gomez, relied on a system for the tour that consisted of 11 MLA and one MLD (downfill) enclosures per side and 12 MLX subs. These were supplemented with 16 Martin Audio W8LC and six W8LM cabinets for side and front fill.

Commenting on MLA, Delicate president Jason Alt said, “The tour is going well, everything has gone very successfully with the MLA system. The only show where we had to add more boxes was Red Rocks where we went to 16 MLA per side instead of the usual setup because of the size of the venue.”

Asked if the different type of venues provided a challenge in terms of getting the control and coverage Delicate needed, Alt responded, “Not at all. The MLA system actually performs really well on every level in every kind of venue that Train has played. All of the reports we’ve gotten back from our crew about reactions to the system from the band and their engineers have been extremely positive.”

Delicate also used Digico SD10 consoles for House and Monitors along with Martin Audio 5.2 amplifiers and Sennheiser G3 IEM personal monitor systems. The tour crew included Train’s FOH engineer Rob Thomas and Monitor engineer Rob Greene, along with system engineer Phil Reynolds and system techs Kenny Kaiser and Russ Cunningham.

Expanding his comments, Alt added, “MLA is a really good solution, especially its small truck footprint that gives you a definite transportation advantage for tours that need every square inch of space they can get. The technology has really given us an edge because it is such a distinctive product in terms of its capabilities and flexibility. We feel MLA gives us a bit of an edge when we’re bidding on new projects.

“Clients are starting to be very aware that the flexibility of the box and its controllability and rejection capability is what a lot of artists are looking for. With MLA, there’s not a lot of energy on the stage, which makes it better for performers and improves the audience’s listening experience.

“And the MLA owners’ network in the United States has been a real asset as well,” Alt concludes. “We’ve all been able to work together sharing resources, equipment and technical information, something which has proved to be a major benefit for every one of us.”

For more about Delicate Productions please click to www.delicate.com

For more about Martin Audio, please click to www.martin-audio.com.

About MLA™ (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array)
The result of many years of intensive R&D, MLA’s methodology replaces trial-and-error array design with intelligent numerical optimization of the array’s output based on a highly accurate acoustic model. The multi-cellular format has six individual cells in each enclosure, each with its own DSP and amplification.

With up to 24 enclosures, each MLA array has up to 144 cells — too great a number to optimize manually, or by ear. Instead, Martin Audio’s proprietary Display2™ system design software automatically calculates FIR DSP filters for each cell and a redundant-ring audio network (U-NET™) downloads the settings into each array enclosure. Martin Audio’s VU-NET™ software provides real-time control and monitoring of the system.

MLA delivers a frequency response and SPL consistency never before achievable; a very high system output (140dB peak, per cabinet @1m); Automatic optimization of the array, both physically (splay angles) and electronically (DSP); Computer control and monitoring of the entire system, and total control of sound system balance for engineers and sound technicians.

MLA is fully integrated, with Class D amplification, DSP and U-NET digital audio
network built into each enclosure. MLA complete systems are ready-to-use, with MLA, MLD and MLX enclosures, flying hardware, software, cabling and training all supplied. Everything needed is included. All ancillary items — from tablet PC and Merlin™ controller to network interconnects and mains distro — are also included in the complete system package. This ensures full compatibility worldwide, down to cabling and accessories.

Additional features include 90° x 7.5° dispersion; a compact size (1136mm wide x 372mm high x 675mm deep), one-box-fits-all (festivals to theaters) application range and a global voltage, power factor corrected power supply.

MLA’s compact size and very high output allows it to be shipped using smaller trucks, offering considerable savings and reduced carbon footprint. The system also includes the MLX powered, flyable subwoofer capable of an unprecedented measured peak output of 150dB @ 1m; MLD downfill cabinet, and Merlin 4-in/10-out system controller and network hub. Audio input is via analog, AES3 or U-NET.

By adopting these principles and system components MLA is optimized for every member of the audience — from a 2,000 capacity theater, to a 20,000-seat arena, to a 100,000-person festival site. It will deliver the engineer’s exact mix to every seat (up to over 150 meters) with precision, exceptional power and clarity.

About Martin Audio®
Founded by audio engineer David Martin in 1971, Martin Audio pioneered the use of all-horn-loaded bass designs in world-class touring loudspeaker systems for groups such as Pink Floyd, ELP and Supertramp. Located outside of London, Martin Audio now embodies a sophisticated mix of acoustic design, research, mathematical modeling and software engineering for a wide range of products in the installation, cinema and touring sound markets.

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