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Capital Sound makes some noise at Glastonbury!
Capital Sound was approached by RG Jones, the official sound contractor for the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2008 and Martin Audio to supply the main loudspeaker package at the weekend. As our neighbours down the road, Capital have always had a good working relationship with RG Jones and were proud to join forces with them on one of the UK’s biggest summer festivals.
One of the biggest challenges was the issue of sound leakage from the festival site versus a reasonable SPL (Sound Pressure Level) within the audience areas. To achieve this, Martin Audio’s Jim Cousins designed a system to meet the criteria set by Chris Beale, the Managing Director of CBA, the audio system design and project management company for this year’s festival. Once deployed the system was fine tuned on site by Capital’s Technical Director Ian Colville.
Ian said after the successful event, “The system performed faultlessly and sounded amazing all weekend. The cardioid sub-bass array was quite a talking point with visiting engineers and produced the most powerful and even coverage that I have ever heard”.
Capital crew rigged the system during Wednesday and Thursday morning with Thursday afternoon set aside for system tuning and propagation tests. They overcame every obstacle that was placed in their way (and there were many!) in order to make the system sound, as Giles Woodhead (FOH Engineer, Crowded House) put it, “the best Glastonbury PA system ever".
The system consisted of four identical hangs of 15 Martin Audio Longbow cabinets plus 1 wide dispersion downfill cabinet. The cardioid sub-bass array consisted of 54 Martin Audio WS218X cabinets, 18 of which were rear facing. The 30 metre array was then curved electronically to improve dispersion. Martin Audio W8LC were flown inside the Pyramid Stage to provide nearfield coverage.
Crew included the following PA Techs: Toby Donovan, Finbarr Neenan, Tim West and Richard Wonnacott.
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Kylie wow wow wow wowing audiences on her X Tour
Since kicking off her X Tour 2008 in Paris back in May, Kylie has been wowing audiences across Europe taking in 28 dates from indoor arenas in Paris and Moscow to outdoor stadium shows in Bulgaria and Athens. The showgirl is about to embark on the UK leg of the tour covering 23 dates in Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle, finishing up at London’s O2 Arena.
Capital are proud to have a Digico SD7 on Front of House for the first time. With only a handful being introduced world wide, this is one of the 1st uses on a demanding project and the result so far is a flawless performance.
Following on from the previous Kylie tour, the speaker system is made up entirely of Meyer Sound products including – Milo 90, Milo 120, Mica, Melody, M1D, HP700 and HP600 subs. Monitor desk used is a Digico D5 with 100% in ear monitors featuring a combination of Sennheiser wireless and Aviom Pad hardwire control.
Sound Crew included: Chris Pyne – FOH Engineer, Rod Matheson – Monitor Engineer, Al Woods – Crew Chief/PA Tech, Mike Smeaton – FOH Babysitter/PA Tech, Becky Pell – PA Tech, Phil Down – PA Tech, Matt Harman-Trick – PA Tech, George Hogan, RF Tech.
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Capital going swimmingly well at the FINA World Swimming Championships
In April, Capital supplied audio for the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships held at the Manchester MEN Arena. Organised by Aussie sporting events company Great Big Events, the criteria was to turn what was essentially a swimming event into evenings of entertainment, hence the need for high quality audio rather than a normal tannoy system.
Chris Pyne designed the initial system which consisted of 5 hangs of Mica over a 25 meter “short course” pool, which was especially constructed for the event. But as a result of the pool taking so long to fill, the original plan had to be re-worked 2 weeks prior to the event. Capital in consultation with Chris re-worked the design to consist of the traditional left and right arrays of 12 Mica cabinets each which were flown either side of the main screen at the far end of the pool, plus a main centre delay which also comprised of 12 Mica. The big challenge was that everything had to be contained in the roof structure at the MEN as the pool area covered the arena floor.
Capital provided all show communications in conjunction with Simon Hodge at Surfhire for a reasonably complex show calling system. The gear was in for a 10 day period for a weeks worth of world class swimming.
Equipment consisted of: FOH – Digico D1, Speakers – Meyer Mica / Meyer HP600 subs. Crew included: Simon Hodge – (Engineer), Matt Harman-Trick (PA Tech), Simon Travis – PA Tech, Finbarr Neenan (PA Tech), Marty Harrison (PA Tech) and George Hogan – (Comms Tech)
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Sound Update
April: The latest jobs that have flown out of the Capital Sound warehouse have included: We are Scientists UK Tour, Black Crowes at Brixton Carling Academy, Beach Boys UK Tour, Kylie 'X' Tour rehearsals, The Paddingtons at the DKNY Flagship Store Launch and the World Short Course Swimming Championships at Manchester Arena.
More info coming soon...
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Katie strums her way through Europe
March: Katie Melua has begun the first leg of her European Tour with dates in France, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Austria, Slovenia and Italy.From March to May she will be performing in a variety of venues with capacities ranging from 1500-10,000 people, ending this leg of the tour with a final show at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Capital will be supplying a PA system which consists of: 24 x Milo, 4 x Milo down fills, 16 x 700s, 24 x Mica, 6 x Melody and 4 x UPA 1Ps. Front of House console is a Studer Vista 5SR being used for the first time in Europe. Engineers are Bill Fertig (Front of House), Russell Saleck (Monitors), Jamie Howieson (LA Tech) and Harm Schopman (PA Tech).
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Your Game Kicks Off...
March: Following the success of last year’s events, Your Game – a BBC initiative which brings together music, football and youth culture – is back and has begun the first of 10 dates around the UK.
Capital have supplied a Midas Venice on Front of House with Martin Audio W8LM flown loudspeakers. Crew include: Merry Hodgkinson and Simon Mauger as System Engineers.
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2008 already sounding great!
February: The year has already kicked off to a busy start for Capital Sound with the following gigs....
Take That and the Sugababes New Years Eve at the O2 Arena...The Ulitmate Fight Challenge 80 in Newcastle...Take That Audi corporate show in Paris..and various EMI showcases and instores for artists including Myleen Klass Laura Marling and We Are Scientists....
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Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year from all Capital!
December: Capital would like to wish everyone a very Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year!
Thank you to all of the clients and suppliers that we have worked with in 2007 and we look forward to working with you all in the new year!
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Michael Bublé swings his way across Europe
DECEMBER: Canadian crooner Michael Bublé embarked on his 'Call Me Irresponsible' European Tour in October which took in 19 shows across Europe and wrapping up the 9 date UK leg at London's Wembley Arena. Capital supplied a Meyer Milo/Mica 4 hang line array system with consoles including a Digidesign Profile at Front of House and a Digico D5 for Monitors. Capital crew included Andy Banks and Rod Clarkson.
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Enter Shikari UK Tour
NOVEMBER: Enter Shikari have just completed a sold out 10 date tour of the UK. Capital supplied a Midas Heritage 3000 for both Front of House and Monitors complete with a Martin W8LC flown line array system. Crew consisted of Micky Griffiths at FOH and Ant Standring on Monitors.
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Take That set to "shine" with their Beautiful World European Tour
OCTOBER: Take That kicked off their Beautiful World tour in Belfast and are currently making their way around Europe with shows in Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark. Mid-November sees the boys begin the UK leg of the tour with 28 sold out dates in Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, London Manchester.
Capital have supplied a package including a Digico D5 for Front of House and Monitors with the PA consisting of Martin W8L/LCs and a similar W8L/LC system on 6 hangs for the B-stage which is in the round. Sound crew on the tour include Gary Bradshaw at FOH, Al Woods as Crew Chief and System Engineers – Tom Boothby, Marty Harrison, Matt Harman Trick and Dan Mosley.
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Second World Tour for Il Divo
MAY: Il Divo embarked on their second World Tour and Capital supplied a full control package including two Digico D5 consoles and crew Tony Szabo and Phil Downs. The tour covered Asia, Australia, South Africa and Canada. The European leg saw them take in 12 dates in the UK and finished in Holland at the beginning of July.
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Another Killer Tour
During February and March Capital supplied a large Arena sound system for The Killers 3 week UK tour and a reduced small Arena system for 2 weeks of European dates.
Crew chief on the tour was Al Woods with Harm Schopman, Matt Harman Trick and Tom Boothby as System Technicians. The control package comprised of a Digico D5 console at both Front of House and Monitors. Monitors were D&B M2 with Martin Sidefills and also included a 6 way system of Sennheisser G2 wireless IEM systems.
The impressive PA consisted of main hangs of 14 Martin W8L plus 2 Martin W8LD per side; side hangs of 12 Martin W8LC per side; sub hangs of 8 Martin W8LS per side; and ground PA including 4 Martin W8LS per side with Martin W8LM front fills.
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Greenpeace "5 Minutes to Midnight" demonstration
MARCH: Greenpeace held a peaceful demonstration against nuclear weapons on board the ship Arctic Sunrise moored next to London’s Tower Bridge. A 50-strong choir called ‘Sense of Sound’ performed a piece composed by Damon Albarn and Capital Sound provided a Midas Venice for Front of House.
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Capital 'Shine' with Corporate Events
FEBRUARY: Capital continue their involvement with corporate events and have recently supplied sound systems for the launch of the LG Shine at London’s Cirque. A Meyer sound system with Yamaha digital desks was supplied for performances by The Feeling and Beth Rowley. This was followed by Richard Branson’s launch of Virgin Media also held at Cirque with special guest Blondie. A Martin Audio W8LC line array was provided with a Yamaha PM5D Monitor desk and Midas XL4 on Front of House. The same system was also used at the Audi Heads of Business Conference held at The Roundhouse and featured a performance by Lionel Ritchie.
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Capital Sound Hire - Winner of 'Favourite Sound Rental Company' at the TPi Awards 2007
FEBRUARY: Capital Sound Hire took home the award for 'Favourite Sound Rental Company' at the Total Production Awards held at the Novotel in West London. Hosted by Suggs, the ceremony recognised the achievements in live production in the UK over the past year.
Capital would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the company in the past 12 months and who have contributed to our successful 2006.
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The Showgirl is back!
November saw Kylie return to live shows in Australia before the Homecoming Showgirl Tour hit London at the beginning of January followed by dates at the MEN in Manchester. The equipment was put together over Christmas in time for her New Years Eve spectacular at Wembley Arena. Digico D5 digital consoles were supplied for both Front of House and Monitor systems and long time Kylie sound engineers, Chris Pyne and Rod Mattheson were back on board.
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Kasabian UK Arena Tour
Capital Sound supplied a sizeable Martin Audio line array system for the sold out UK Arena tour in December 2006.
Trevor Gilligan again produced amazing results from his Digico D5 console and 16 deep hangs of Martin W8L line array cabinets. The system also included 16 deep Martin W8LC mid size line array and flown Martin W8LS sub bass. Monitors were driven by Andrew “Pep” Peppiatt using conventional Midas H3000 console and Martin LE700 Monitors.
Kasabian’s PA crew comprised of Crew Chief Al Woods, Front of House babysitter Ian Colville and PA Technicians Liam Tucker and Richard Wonnacott.
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Take That
NOVEMBER: After a successful sell out stadium tour in the summer, Take That are back and sounding better than ever!
The boys performed an exclusive preview of their new material to an intimate crowd at Abbey Road Studios for Radio 2. Capital provided a Digico D5 system for both Front of House and Monitors in addition to a flown Martin Audio W8LC loudspeaker system. An Audience with Take That, a live special on ITV shortly followed and they were supplied with a Digidesign for Front of House and a Digico D5 for Monitors.
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Take That - The Ultimate Tour
UK Ultimate Tour
Having worked with TT from the conception of the band we were happy to see the guys back on the road for thier Ultimate Tour. One of the most talked about tours of 2006, this spectacular featured a flying B stage, pyro, moving set and video screens, indoor rain along with surprise appearances from Beverley Knight and a holographic Robbie. The show was a non-stop two hour extravangaza in the Las Vegas vein; once again TT had pulled out all the stops and lived up to their reputation of high-end shows to give their fans an experience that will never be forgotten.
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