Warwick Arts Centre has upgraded the sound system in its main concert facility, Butterworth Hall, on the University of Warwick campus in Coventry with a new d&b audiotechnik system based around CCL Compact Cardioid Line Array and U-Series loudspeakers.
Designed and supplied by HD Pro Audio, the installation features left and right CCL arrays supported by U3, U5 and U7 loudspeakers deployed as fills and delays. Three ALi90 loudspeakers form an A-Series centre cluster, with XLS-SUBs providing additional low-frequency reinforcement and 44S loudspeakers used as front fills.
The upgrade was driven by changes to Butterworth Hall’s programme. Its previous system had been designed primarily for spoken word, classical music and presentations, but an increasing number of rock, pop and larger-scale music events created a requirement for greater bass response, output and dynamic control.
“Our previous sound system was designed for a programme dominated by spoken word, classical music and presentations,” said Warwick Arts Centre technical manager Tim Clare. “As we evolved towards more rock, pop and larger-scale music events, its limitations became increasingly apparent.”
The venue also wanted to reduce its reliance on hired equipment while retaining flexibility across multiple stage formats and both flat-floor and tiered seating configurations.
HD Pro Audio trialled several systems in the space before d&b’s CCL emerged as the preferred solution following a demonstration at Butterworth Hall.
“CCL blew me away, it’s fair to say,” said Clare. “Being able to stand on stage and have a conversation while there’s 110dB going out the front – it’s witchcraft! It really is magic the way they do it.”
Clare also highlighted the low-frequency performance of the system and the benefits of CCL’s cardioid characteristics, which help control sound behind the arrays. Its compact dimensions were another consideration in maintaining sightlines within the hall.
The U-Series was specified to provide consistent performance across the fill and delay positions.
“The U-Series offered consistency across the installation,” said HD Pro Audio’s Andy Huffer. “Despite their different output capabilities, the various sizes offer the same basic sonic character, meaning we can confidently combine them.”
The three ALi90 loudspeakers in the centre cluster can extend the main left and right system to address coverage at the front of the hall or operate independently for vocals and left-centre-right mixing.
“The three ALi90s can run as an extension of the main left and right to cover the potential gap at the front section,” explained Huffer. “If they want to put all the vocals through it, it’ll give good coverage and localisation – or it can be used for dedicated left-centre-right mixing.”
The 44S front-fill cabling has been integrated into Butterworth Hall’s movable four-platform stage using recessed SpeakON connections concealed beneath removable magnetic plates.
System presets allow the venue’s technical team to switch rapidly between different configurations, while the XLS-SUBs can be deployed as left/right stacks or as a front-of-stage array for standing events.
According to Clare, the finished system provides the additional power and flexibility required for the venue’s expanding music programme without compromising its speech-led applications. “d&b was by far the best solution,” he concluded.
