Pro-Music-News Projects & Productions

Axys and DiGiCo provide FOH sound for Quadrophena tour

Jason BarnesSound designer Jason Barnes chose an Axys loudspeaker system for UK tour of iconic rock opera Quadrophenia. After comparing several different systems Barnes went for the new Axys ScopeG2 range as the FOH PA for the show: “I chose the Axys Speakers over alternatives because of their dynamic sound, energy and ability to deal with the full range of frequencies whilst not sounding over processed. I wanted to take the risk and try something new and powerful that had never been used in theatre before to create a more individual mix. I also wanted a 15” speaker with punch rather than anything larger, because of the varied venues we are touring to. These boxes fit the bill and are light enough to throw up the pros and punchy enough to throw a rich rock and roll sound to the back of the house. I cannot recommend them enough, the Axys ScopeG2 is the best speaker I have heard in a long time!“ said Barnes.
Set in London and Brighton at the height of the Mod era, Quadrophenia is told through the eyes of Jimmy, a hedonistic style conscious teenager searching for a place to belong and a girl to love. Misunderstood by his parents and stuck in a dead end job, he sets off on a trip to Brighton that will change his life forever. The evocative world of sixties Britain provides a colourful backdrop to Jimmy’s journey. Pete Townshend’s stunning score pulsates with life and brilliantly captures the excitement of a nation on the brink of change.
Rolling Stone magazine and VH1 have named Quadrophenia one of the 100 Greatest Albums of all Time. The album was released by The Who in 1973 and was followed by the iconic film in 1979. This new stage adaptation of Quadrophenia is an exhilarating theatrical experience for rebels and adolescents of all ages.
In total 12 x AXYS Scope T-2115s were supplied to specialist theatre sound rental company Stage Sound Services for the tour together with 8 x B-07 subwoofers. The T-2115s are a truly full range 3 way active loudspeaker with built in amplification (3 x 350W) and DSP. Comprising of a 15” loudspeaker for low frequencies, a 2” for the mids and a 1” for the highs, all the crossover functionality is taken care of by the on board DSP which also offers, delay, equalisation and very importantly a volume control to ensure that the systems gain structure is preserved.
The B-07s comprise of a single 18” driver and again benefit from built in amplification (1 x 700W) and DSP. The system is easily configured and monitored using the Axys WinControl software which connects to the loudspeaker from a PC at the mix position via a RS-485 network. The Axys equipment is not the only new technology on the tour as Barnes also chose a DiGiCo SD8 digital mixing console for the tour.
“It wasn't the easy option to go for more new technology on the show but it has certainly paid off. Like the PA I wanted a compact option and the desk is certainly that without loosing any of the functionality. I also wanted the desk to be able to cope with the demands of a 9-piece Band and 16-cast all in DPA headsets. It is safe to say there isn’t a spare channel on the desk whilst making full use of the alternative input on all channels as a backup.”
All the sound equipment for the The UK tour is being provided by Stage Sound Services. “We are very happy with our investment, I have been looking for a powered speaker system within our rental stock and believe the Axys products will become one of the next industry standard systems in a very competitive market,” said Phil Hurley from Stage Sound Services. “The boxes not only sound great but, combined with the DigiCo desk, we have a PA that is very compact to transport and load into new venues. What’s more the AXYS boxes are very efficient and the PA pulls a remarkably low current compared to other systems.”
The tour started in Plymouth at the beginning of May and will play Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bath, Manchester, Cambridge, Sunderland, Cardiff, Blackpool, Cheltenham, Leeds, Nottingham, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Brighton, Southampton, Norwich, Wolverhampton and finally ends in Coventry at the end of the September.
©  /2009 pro-music-news™
© 1997 © 2009 Pro-Music-News™. All rights reserved. Thank you for visiting Pro-Music-News™.