In the latest phase of a long working relationship with one of London’s premier performance venues, Autograph Sales & Installations have supplied the UK’s first permanently-installed Meyer Sound LINA loudspeaker system to Cadogan Hall.
Located just off Sloane Square in the heart of Chelsea, the hall was opened in 1907 as a New Christian Science Church. Acquired by the Cadogan Estate in 2000 it later became the permanent base for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and its busy programme now encompasses all sorts of music, performance and cinema – in fact this expanded inclusion of a broader range of musical styles was the principal driver behind the upgrade, replacing the Meyer Sound M1D loudspeakers previously supplied by Autograph.
Four zones
This latest project follows previous collaborations with Autograph, which included the supply of a new Yamaha digital audio mixing system and venue-wide Dante data network. A QSC Q-Sys DSP core was already in place from these works and is now also the central controller for the new loudspeaker system, providing the four zones per side required to cover the main part of the hall effectively.
The main PA hangs comprise eight Meyer Sound LINA modules each with a single 750-LFC subwoofer at the top of each array, while two additional 900-LFC subwoofers are deployed on the stage wings, according to the needs of the performance. Six compact UP4-Ps are variously located as stage lip fills (covering only the front row) and unobtrusive stage holdback, while an RMServer provides real-time system diagnostics and monitoring.
Harry Spillett is the venue’s production manager and comments: “Autograph were an obvious choice for this project. I have had a good working relationship with them for many years and was confident that the suggested system and quality of the install would fit the Hall well. The after-sales care has always been very good and this project was no exception.”
Final part
“The installation of the new LINA array and associated Meyer cabinets marks the final part of a staged upgrade to our auditorium sound system,” says Spillett. “We wanted to improve upon the clarity and power offered by the previous system to help cater for the broad range of larger shows the Hall now presents. The LINA array allowed us to significantly improve the performance of the system while maintaining minimal visible impact for orchestral performances or shows requiring the use of our projection screen.
“We have been able to remove our former ground stacks freeing up valuable stage space and releasing restricted view seats. The new front fills ensure the sound image is locked to the performers on stage and the new 900-LFC cabinets are in a league of their own!”
Spillett concludes: “We have had only positive comments from touring engineers of all genres and I look forward to mixing more shows in the Hall myself.”
