L-Acoustics system installed at Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Yorkshire’s Scarborough Open Air Theatre has installed an L-Acoustics KARA system, courtesy of Liverpool-based Adlib’s sales and installation division.

Having featured concerts by pop acts such as JLS, John Barrowman, Olly Murs and Alexandra Burke, the 6,500 capacity venue is the largest such venue in Europe. It was originally built in 1932 and was reopened in 2010 after a £3.5 million refurbishment, which includes a full stage and roof system. This year, further investment was decided upon with regards to the venue’s sound system in order to ensure that it can offer high-end production values and attract leading international artists.

Adlib’s installations and sales project managers John Hughes and Roger Kirby worked with Scarborough-based P&L Sound & Lighting’s Phil Laycock and L-Acoustics’ application engineer Chris Vass on the design, which required several site visits along with detailed on-site noise propagation measurements.

Nine KARA boxes together with four SB18 subs per side were flown as left and right PA hangs, supported by dedicated PA towers, plus three ground-stacked SB28 subs per side. This was completed with four L-Acoustics KIVA loudspeakers as in-fills, positioned towards the front edge of the stage.

Six L-Acoustics LA8 amplifiers powered the aforementioned loudspeakers, while comprehensive on-board processing and equalisation was accessed utilising a Laptop PC running L-Acoustics’ LA Network Manager Software application.

“Of a number of options initially discussed,” explained Hughes, “KARA was considered the best system for the job.”

Commenting on the installation, the venue’s in-house production manager Phil Laycock concluded: “As the main contractor for the Scarborough Open Air theatre it was great to work with Adlib. From the first point of contact through to the system integration and final completion, they were there for us with great communication and back up, and we also sub-hired additional sound and lighting for some of the summer shows.”

All elements of this equipment have been purchased by Scarborough Borough Council.

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