MARTIN AUDIO WT3'S GIVE MAC SOUND HOT FLUSHES

MAC Sound UK have continued a relationship dating back more than 20 years - by purchasing 16 of Martin Audio's WT3 theatre enclosures.

These were specified by the Manchester-based company's sound designer Clement Rawling for two six-month national touring productions - Hot Flush (featuring Sheila Ferguson, Marti Webb, Rula Lenska) for producer Paul Elliott, and Boogie Nights (Antony Costa, Alvin Stardust), for Qdos Entertainment Theatre.

The arrayable 3-way compact theatre enclosure were supplied with the appropriate flying frames and DX1 system controllers, and are deployed equally across both productions.

Having heard W3 and WT3 some time earlier Rawling was convinced of their suitability for theatre shows and set up a demo. 'The WT3's have proved outstanding with both the producers and musical supervisor,' he said.

The first batch of WT3's were purchased for Boogie Nights. 'Since we are playing theatres ranging from 600 to 1,800 capacities line array was not an option. I needed a really punchy vocal sound which the WT3 delivers; it is also extremely flexible, allowing us to either fly or ground-stack the system depending on circumstances,' said Clem.

He had been asked to design sound for Hot Flush at just two weeks' notice. 'We actually changed to the WT3's just after the show opened primarily because of the incredibly high noise levels generated from the positive audience reaction and we decided that the song lyrics in particular would benefit from the clarity of the WT3's. Martin Audio were magnificent, building and delivering the WT3's in just four days - I can't imagine another company that could have done that.'

The systems are configured as eight WT3's, four WT2's and a pair of S218 subs - plus frontfills. 'Whether flown or stacked is completely dictated by the facilities in each venue but with the exception of very small theatres there are always a pair of WT3's per side stacked on a single S218; this gives good power and throw plus coupling to the sub bass which helps to provide a full band sound.'

The other relevant factor is that both shows relocate on a weekly basis, necessitating an 8.00am get-in on Monday morning. 'With the first performance at 7.30pm the same night a system that is quick to install and is constantly reliable is essential,' he says.

'In fact we have been delighted with the systems which have now covered some awkward venues without a problem.'

But Clem Rawling can delve back way deeper into Martin Audio's product roster and recalls purchasing one of the original CX systems.

'We started trading in 1976 and purchased CX2's and BX2's shortly after they came into production,' he remembers.

If his confidence in the brand extends back two decades, then one recent event stays in his memory. 'We had purchased 16 x W8LM Mini Line Arrays for Boogie Nights 2 at Blackpool Opera House which we then ran at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton for the world premiere of Santa Claus the Musical and picked up an incredible review for the sound quality in The Stage.

'At that point we knew we had made the right choice of speaker!'


Further information from:

Maureen Hayes, Martin Audio Jerry Gilbert, JGP Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1494 535312 Tel: +44 (0)1707 258525
Fax: +44 (0)1494 438669 Fax: +44 (0)1707 267140

Pics: The new WT3 rigged at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, for Boogie Nights