––Award-Winning System Set For High-Profile Events Later This Spring––
After putting Martin Audio’s active Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array (MLA) through its paces on a series of high profile events, premier UK rental company, RG Jones Sound Engineering Ltd has invested in the new award-winning system.
The complement of 24 fully-integrated MLA top boxes and 12 MLX subs, with six dedicated amplifier and DSP channels per enclosure, will make their debut on a series of high-profile shows at the end of April and beginning of May.
Championing the cause for RG Jones had been the company’s experienced sound engineer Simon Honywill, who had put MLA through its paces on Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of War of the Worlds tour, Raymond Gubbay’s Classical Spectacular and on shows with Katherine Jenkins in Ireland to evaluate its full dynamic range and consistent delivery to every seat in the house. From the moment he declared, “We’ve made a massive leap forward with the MLA … the results are remarkable,” the investment looked to be a certainty.
RG Jones’ joint managing director, John Carroll, said the company had been looking for a large format system and MLA came along at the right time. ”We felt committed to buying when we could see a demand for it over the first year.”
Their faith in the system looks guaranteed, and in addition to the late spring shows followed by the usual summer madness, MLA is again confirmed for the next War of the Worlds arena tour, starting in November 2012.
Added RG Jones Project manager, Steve Carr; “We have been involved with Martin Audio for many years. MLA is one of the most exciting developments that has happened for a long time, so it’s a great opportunity to broaden our client base. With the systems that have already been sold to the US, it was inevitable that it would start to appear on riders.”
Joint managing director Andrew Williamson stated that the high degree of controllability had been a major factor in the decision-making. “It’s the first self-powered system we’ve owned and provides a major truck-space solution as it is not necessary to employ amp racks. That’s a major advantage.”
A further advantage is that as a consolidated Martin Audio house, RG Jones’ existing W8LC Compact Line Array will work in harmony with MLA should delays or outfills be required on a large-scale show.
Summarizing, Martin Audio’s Director of Sales Simon Bull said, “RG Jones has been one of our most loyal customers over the years, and our presence on the Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival has been entirely due to them. We are delighted that they have decided to make this investment and we will be looking to support them every step of the way.”
Photo Caption (left to right): Simon Bull (Martin Audio), with John Carroll, Andrew Williamson and Steve Carr (RG Jones)
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.
