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A new sound sensation fromKV2’s VHD system

UK: Hall One of The Sage Gatesheadwas where a slightly bemused tech-nical crew looked on as Andy AustinBrown, director of technical projectsfor KV2 Audio and his assistant Paul‘The Mule’ Galley unloaded a con-spicuously small PA from the rear ofa sprinter van and proceeded to haveit rigged and ready to power upwithin 45 minutes.

Had the system been intended forHall Two then no one would havebatted an eyelid, however this PAsystem had been imported to serv-ice one of the biggest events on thevenue’s calendar, the prestigiousfour-day annual WOMEX worldmusic expo. If size was anything togo by, the VHD system really didn’tlook substantial enough to fill the1,700 capacity auditorium.

Nevertheless as the old axiomgoes, size isn’t everything, and whilstthe crew waited for power AustinBrown reiterated the bold statementsthe company had made at the UKlaunch of the VHD during PLASA2005. “The designers of this systemhave spent two years reducing inher-ent distortion of cabinets, be it elec-tronic, mechanical or acoustic; wewanted to produce a loudspeakerthat does not require lots of elec-

tronic correction. Advancements intransducer and digital control, aswell as optimized amplification elec-tronics have allowed for a dramaticincrease in dynamic range andmakes this system extremely userfriendly and powerful.”

The Sage Gateshead, whichopened last December, was on theeve of hosting over 40 world musicacts. This was to present an eclecticcollection of musical styles featuringas the opening act in Hall One,Robert Plant and his band StrangeSensation. Much was riding on WOMEX, both for the venues reputation and forNewcastle/Gateshead as a whole.The event brought in over 2,000 del-egates and performers from aroundthe world and consequently gener-ated significant income for the city.

As a result it was imperative that,at least technically, nothing wentwrong. It therefore begs the question:Why did the technical managementchose this particular event to addanother potential wild card into themix? Surely with so much riding onthe success of WOMEX it wouldhave been better to stick with thedevil they knew and use the familiarin house PA system, road testing >>

Relatively strange sensation: Robert Plant and his band perform at WOMEX

Paul Astbury: “Last time I was here I measured 96dB on stage”

>> the VHD at a less critical time?As Dan Adams, production man-

ager for WOMEX ’05 candidlyresponds: “Hall 1 is acoustically oneof the best concert halls in theworld, the variable acoustic treat-ment make it as close to perfect asa room can be for amplified sound.Nevertheless it’s tricky to find aspeaker system that works wellwithin such a challenging space.With the current trend towards linearrays, we have had many problemswith complex reflections from thevarious systems we have tried.”

Visiting FOH engineer for HallOne, Paul Astbury said, “Last timeI was here I measured 96dB on stagebehind the in-house PA from reflec-tion alone. This is an impossibleenvironment for monitors. After all,

what do you do when the leadvocalist says ‘I want more of me’,give him a mirror?”

So what of the VHD PA?Comprising of four VHD 2.0mid/high enclosures, two flown leftand right for the top balcony area,and one a side as part of the left andright on-stage stack, which includedtwo VHD2.15 double 15-inch sub-woofer systems and four VHD 4.18quad 18-inch subwoofer systems, itperformed flawlessly. A palpablechange to the sceptical atmospherewas instant as a CD player was con-nected direct to the system – no pro-cessing or room EQ – which thengenerated an imposing yet crystalclear sound, every part of the signalcould be heard. Nowhere in the1,700 capacity room could a dead

corner be found. However this wasa CD and things are very differentwhen the band gets up on stage.

Paul Astbury FOH engineer said:“Well, at least I know now that Idon’t have to call London to getmore gear in!” He rode the systemquite hard and commented that therewas still plenty of headroom, the airwas moving and he could feel histrousers pulsate. Riiight…

In the world of PA there is nopanacea for every application, allPA’s to one degree or another leanmore towards certain applicationsthan others. The VHD certainly per-formed well in the Hall One envi-ronment and all concerned withWOMEX’s technical needs wereunwavering in their confidence thatthis was indeed the best possiblesolution for the job.

This was ultimately backed up bythe initially non committal RobertPlant engineer, Roy Williams, whowhen first approached for commentssaid he would make no judgementon the PA unless it was particularlyremarkable. After all he says: “Forme its one night in one room withone PA and there are many otherparameters to take into account.”

Plant likes his mix lively andclear, that it certainly was, with upto three of four effects playing intothe mix, the differentiation betweeninstruments and voice was stunning.Add to that, the fact that Plants sidefills actually dwarfed the VHD sys-tem – it was surprising the first fewrows didn’t suffer – however duringthe gig there was apparently noproblem at all.

After the set Williams said that ifhe were going to recommend anyPA for that room it would be theVHD system and whilst he said hewas never entirely happy with a gig,as far as sound was concerned (itencourages complacency on the partof the engineer), he was pleased withthe performance of the PA.

For its first major showcase in theUK the KV2 VHD system could nothave received a more positiveresponse from engineers or audiencesalike, the question now surely is; willVHD revolutionize the current proaudio mind set and will it force amore considered application of linearray technology in the future? []S A R A H R U S H T O N-R E A D

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The Sage Gateshead and KV2 boys (L-R) Chris Durrant, technical operations manager,The Sage Gateshead; Paul ‘The Mule’ Galley; KV2’s Andy Austin-Brown; Ed Gamble, StageElectrics; Dan Adams, production manager, The Sage Gateshead

Robert Plant: still rockin’…