METALLICA
TOURS EUROPE WITH MASSIVE JBL VERTEC? SYSTEM FROM SSE HIRE
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| NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, July 9, 2004 — Popular rock group Metallica recently completed the European stadium leg of their “Madly In Anger” world tour, using one the largest touring JBL VERTEC® line array systems ever assembled. Fielded by UK-based rental company SSE Hire Ltd., the total system package included 128 VT4889 full-size line array elements. These were divided between two identical touring packages, code-named ‘black’ and ‘blue’, which leapfrogged across Europe to keep up with the band’s fast-paced itinerary which ranged for six weeks from Scandinavia, to Central Europe, to the Mediterranean countries. Metallica’s sound engineer, “Big Mick” Hughes, has worked with the band for 20 years. Supported by system engineer Scott Minkley, Hughes has previously used the VERTEC system in both Japan and Australia. After a successful string of 2003 outdoor dates “down under” on a VERTEC system provided by Jands Productions Services, he specified it for use on the recent European stadium tour. "The VERTEC system has the reserve power I need for this band, unlike some others,” noted Hughes. “The VT4889’s 15” low-frequency section supports a strong full-bodied guitar sound, and that's what Metallica is all about. We've been having some great shows with this rig." The standard system configuration for the just-completed European tour leg included two main arrays of 18 VT4889’s, two side arrays of 12 elements each, and a center array of 4 enclosures for front-fill. With the primary loudspeaker arrays typically 180 feet (55 meters) apart, the system was called upon to deliver an unusually high level of output power and uniform audience coverage, without the use of any additional signal-delayed supplemental arrays. Not having to rely upon delay stacks ensured rapid setups and loadouts for the production crew. The compact size, light weight, and simple rigging capabilities of the VERTEC system were all practical advantages for the European mega-shows, which drew crowds of up to 65,000 persons. Two coordinated teams of five audio technicians managed the logistics and daily setup. Control and monitor packages for the European tour were split between SSE Hire and Michigan-based Thunder Audio, the band’s traditional North American concert sound supplier. Stage monitor mixing duties are handled by Paul Owen, Vice President of Thunder Audio, who’s worked with the band since 1987. Metallica will return to the USA in August and perform until the end of November, when the band’s world tour will end after 21 months on the road. “All of us at JBL Professional are gratified to know that the VERTEC system is robust enough to meet such challenging requirements in the field,” advised David Scheirman, Director of Tour Sound for JBL Professional. “Professional concert sound companies like SSE Hire are often called upon to push the limits of what can be expected from portable sound systems. We’re pleased to see the inherent technical capabilities of the VERTEC system allows these audio industry veterans to meet the needs of such a demanding client.” SSE Hire Ltd. can be reached in Birmingham, England at +44 121-766-7170. Thunder Audio can be reached in Michigan at (313) 291-5020. The company’s website address is www.thunderaudioinc.com. Photo Caption: Metallica's 2004 European stadium tour relied
on a JBL VERTEC system fielded by UK-based SSE Hire Ltd. The
six-week tour drew crowds up to 65,000 persons. ABOUT JBL PROFESSIONAL
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Copyright © 2004 JBL Professional. |
