Installation
P54 JULY 2015
United Kingdom
Apollo mission and control The Eventim Apollo underwent a major upgrade of its entire house PA system earlier this year. Not only was it a big commitment from AEG Live, it marked a new paradigm for SSE Audio Group as the audio specialist chalked up its first ‘contract rental’. Apollo technical manager Alastair Parley and SSE MD John Penn tell Dave Robinson, in their own words, the story of the installation
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lastair Parley: Several years ago, the owners of the Eventim Apollo, AEG and Eventim, decided to investigate the feasibility of installing a ‘house system’ at the Hammersmith venue. The main purpose of this installation was to ensure that visitors were given the highest standard of audio reproduction anywhere in auditorium. John Penn: Eventim owners AEG Live had attended various shows at the Apollo and were concerned that while some shows sounded great, others were not so, and that reflected badly on them. AP: Exhaustive research was carried out to establish the manufacturer and supplier of all the audio systems used for every event at Eventim Apollo since May 2010, together with in-depth discussions with our clients, leading production managers, engineers and event promoters. At the end of this process it was clear that an installed house system would not only be practical, it was in fact the only way we could ensure consistent provision of the highest possible audio quality with even coverage throughout the venue. JP: The proposal was that the system would be used by as many visiting acts as possible; also, something that would deliver the spoken word well, given the amount of
be accepted by the majority of visiting productions was manufactured by L-Acoustics. JP: At this time SSE Audio Group was completing betatesting of the L-Acoustics K2 and it seemed that this would be an obvious choice for a venue the size of the Apollo. Subsequently, SSE Hire were at the venue for two shows, both using K2, so we were able to provide instant demonstrations. AP: Our next step was to identify the company who could supply, install and operate the system on our behalf. Our choice was driven by a range of factors. We required a company with the stock levels and range of equipment available to support [a] wide variety of events; a knowledgeable and friendly team of technicians to operate and maintain the system; and a dedicated management team who would supervise the operation. Also the firm had to have the skills and resources and proven record in order to assist with the design and installation of the system. JP: A number of installation companies were invited to bid for the work – I think they obtained six quotes. AP: We carried out a full auditorium spectrum analysis using our audio consultants, Vanguardia, to obtain data which we could use to show the quality and consistency of coverage was of the highest possible standard.
the existing points, and also new balcony flying points. AP: The organisation that best fulfilled [our] requirements was SSE Audio Group. JP: We are not sure how the Vanguardia report influenced the client, but the contract for the installation was subsequently awarded to [us] using L-Acoustics K2. AP: A finalised design and specification was then drawn up and agreed upon. The manufacture of components for the system began. JP: The installation would cover the full PA, but not monitors or a front of house desk – although a small house console (DiGiCo SD11) would be provided. It was therefore important that facilities would be provided enabling tours to plug their own mixing console and monitors, whatever protocols they used. AP: A major factor in choosing SSE Audio Group was that they offered a complete design, manufacture and installation service to us. This included every aspect of the install, from custom lifting and lifting control gear, the manufacture of many bespoke elements such as the stage box and patch panels, the mounting systems for the infills and delays, as well as finishing of many of the cabinets in the correct colours to match the auditorium deco. SSE even designed transport and storage solutions for the
comedy presented at the venue. AP: It became clear that the system capable of providing the highest possible standards and likely to
JP: To carry out the tests, existing flying points were used, although SSE recommended that for the final installation new flying points were needed, wider than
system, for the rare occasion when it does have to be removed. JP: The main PA comprises 12 K2 per side, installed
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22/06/2015 16:30