Delicate Supports Billy Talent Canadian Tour with MLA

(03/06/2013) Canadian melodic punk rockers Billy Talent recently wrapped up an arena tour in their home country with Delicate Productions providing the main PA, which consisted of Martin Audio's MLA system, and the band's long-time collaborators Metal Works in charge of monitors and FOH.

The eclectic four-piece who've been together since 1993 starting out as Pezz and later changing their name for legal reasons, consists of Ben Kowalewicz (lead vocals), Ian D'Sa (lead guitar), Jon Gallant (bass) and Aaron Solowoniuk (drums).

Opening acts for the tour included Sum41, Hollerado and Indian Handcrafts while the band, Metal Works and Delicate maintained a positive collaboration for what proved to be very successful tour.

The main PA was comprised of 14 Martin Audio MLA cabinets and one MLD (downfill) flown on each side of the stage with 12 W8LC per side for left and right side PA, 12 MLX subs floor-stacked and eight W8LM cabinets along the downstage edge for in-fill/out-fill. Martin Audio MA 4.2 amplifiers were used to power the side and infill/outfill systems.

Crew for the show included Bob Strakele (FOH engineer) and Matt Blakely (Production manager/monitor engineer) from the band, Al Woods (Audio crew chief), Kenny Kaiser (MLA tech) from Delicate and Luke Purchase (FOH/monitor tech) from Metal Works.

Asked about MLA's performance during the tour, Woods said, The MLA is a fabulous system, super easy to fly and extremely powerful. It sounds great and amazingly even throughout the venue. We get so used to other systems tailing off in bigger venues, but this fella' never ceased to surprise.

About MLA (Multi-Cellular Loudspeaker Array)

The result of many years of intensive R&D, MLA's methodology replaces trial-and-error array design with intelligent numerical optimization of the array's output based on a highly accurate acoustic model. The multi-cellular format has six individual cells in each enclosure, each with its own DSP and amplification.

With up to 24 enclosures, each MLA array has up to 144 cells -- too great a number to optimize manually, or by ear. Instead, Martin Audio's proprietary Display2 system design software automatically calculates FIR DSP filters for each cell and a redundant-ring audio network (U-NET ) downloads the settings into each array enclosure. Martin's VU-NET software provides real-time control and monitoring of the system.

MLA delivers a frequency response and SPL consistency never before achievable; a very high system output (140dB peak, per cabinet @1m); Automatic optimization of the array, both physically (splay angles) and electronically (DSP); Computer control and monitoring of the entire system, and total control of sound system balance for engineers and sound technicians.

MLA is fully integrated, with Class D amplification, DSP and U-NET digital audio

Network built into each enclosure. MLA complete systems are ready-to-use, with MLA, MLD and MLX enclosures, flying hardware, software, cabling and training all supplied. Everything needed is included. All ancillary items from tablet PC and Merlin controller to network interconnects and mains distro are also included in the complete system package. This ensures full compatibility worldwide, down to cabling and accessories.

Additional features include 90 x 7.5 dispersion; a compact size (1136mm wide x 372mm high x 675mm deep), one-box-fits-all (festivals to theaters) application range and a global voltage, power factor corrected power supply.

MLA's compact size and very high output allows it to be shipped using smaller trucks, offering considerable savings and reduced carbon footprint. The system also includes the MLX powered, flyable subwoofer capable of an unprecedented peak output of 150dB @ 1m; MLD downfill cabinet, and Merlin 4-in/10-out system controller and network hub. Audio input is via analog, AES3 or U-NET.

By adopting these principles and system components MLA is optimized for every member of the audience from a 2,000 capacity theater, to a 20,000-seat arena, to a 100,000-person festival site. It will deliver the engineer's exact mix to every seat (up to over 150 meters) with precision, exceptional power and clarity.

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