FESTIVALS

Historically, Hyde Park concerts had been dogged by offsite noise pollution leading to neighbourhood complaints and the need to reduce sound levels on site — meaning that the audience couldn’t hear the performances.

Negative press coverage resulted, headline acts became disillusioned and the site was increasingly deemed unworkable for major festivals and outdoor events.

In 2013, new promoter AEG and site managers Loud Sound looked to solve the conundrum, once and for all.

Full scale noise abatement tests were carried out between competing manufacturers at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire for the promoters and acoustics consultants Vanguardia.

The Martin Audio MLA system proved its unique ability to place the sound only where it is required

Vanguardia recorded near- and far-field measurements and asked Martin Audio to load in two different presets, which set coverage at 100m and then 50m. The measured SPL data over the site was then fed into their own environmental model before giving the system the thumbs up.

A successful 7 year run followed for MLA and rental company Capital Sound at British Summer Time in Hyde Park resulting in sound pressure levels being easily in excess of 100dBA where previously they had been low to mid 90s. Critically, off site noise levels were achieved and complaints from the neighbourhood were dramatically reduced.