UK-based sound specialist, Sound By Design, has installed a brand new EM Acoustics HALO Compact line array system at the world famous Royal Albert Hall in London.
The multipurpose venue hosts everything from live music and performing arts of all types to exhibitions, conferences, public meetings and film events and premieres. Over 1.5 million people are entertained at the venue every year.
Sound By Design, which has supplied the hall with audio equipment for a number of years, won the tender in September. The Royal Albert Hall and Sound by Design took the decision to completely renew its sound system and, after a successful temporary installation a year ago with the live performance of Fantasia from the London Philharmonic orchestra, opted again for the HALO Compact system.
Sound By Design deployed 20 HALO-C line array elements each side of the main stage, with a centre hang comprising a custom 18in cardoid subwoofer plus 12 HALO-C underneath. These are complemented by two fill hangs each consisting of three HALO-C for the choir stalls. A further four fill hangs – two of which comprise four HALO-C and the other two consisting of five HALO-C – cover circle and boxes.
The entire system is driven and powered by one AD-9 amplifier, 14 AQ10 amplifiers and four DSC48 loudspeaker management units.
A separate stand-alone system of six HALO-C and two EMS-118 subs was also supplied as a mobile system for the Elgar Room. Refurbished in 2009, this 350-capacity room is the venue’s secondary performance space and hosts a wide range of events from Late Night Jazz, Classical Coffee Mornings, comedy and cabaret events, to family and educational events
Senior Technical Manager for the Royal Albert Hall, Ollie Jeffery commented “The newly installed HALO system is a big step forward for us. It will allow us to offer a much more flexible package to the wide variety of acts we have in the Auditorium. The final result is absolutely brilliantly and the coverage throughout the building is the best it’s ever been. We are really excited at developing this to all users of the Hall over the next coming months.
