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INDIA: Martin Audio’s versatile loudspeakers have been tasked with reproducing many musical genres to optimum effect over the generations. But one of the most demanding must surely be the spirituality of Indian Sufi music, as performed by one of the leading exponents, Bismil ki Mehfil (Mohd Asif).

His recent concert outdoors at Delhi Technological University (DTU) was a spectacular showcase of Sufi fusion music. Having been studying since the age of five under the tutelage of maestros from the Moradabad and Delhi gharanas, he captivated an audience of between 7,000-8,000 people with soulful renditions, including his hit singleTere Binaand his popular cover of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’sKali Kali Zulfon Ke Phande. To capture the concert’s deep emotion and electrifying energy, leaving the audience spellbound, required all the powers of Martin Audio’s flagship WPL line array.

The PA design comprised eight WPL per side (left and right) with a further centre fill of eight WPC enclosures, ensuring consistent coverage right across the audience area.

The 2 x 12in biamp three-way system, provided by ShowTech, ensured both impeccable sound clarity and reach. Precision and projection combined to allow Bismil’s dynamic vocals and intricate ensemble arrangements to resonate throughout the vast open-air venue.

The audio system truly made the difference for Bismil ki Mehfil.

Complementing this were 12 SXH218 subwoofers in a front-firing configuration, and a further eight SX218 in a reverse cardioid setup for centre fill. The SXH218s provided powerful, direct low-end energy for the audience, enveloping them in an immersive, truly captivating audio experience, while the SX218s, arranged in reverse cardioid, minimised rear-stage rumble and maintained a clean acoustic environment on stage.

Further optimising the sound, the Hard Avoid® feature was applied to the stage area in the dedicated DISPLAY software, preventing unwanted low-frequency spill.

The system was powered by iKON iK42 DSP 4-channel amplifiers, delivering 20,000W of Class D power. This set-up provided consistent sound quality, wherever attendees were located.

ShowTech’s engineers, alongside dedicated technical support from Martin Audio’s territory distributions, VMT Enterprise, supervised the system, ensuring that Bismil’s soulful melodies were heard in perfect clarity. The event also showcased the evident superior capabilities of Martin Audio’s technology and the strong partnership that exists between VMT and ShowTech, dedicated to delivering world-class live sound experiences.

“The audio system truly made the difference for Bismil ki Mehfil,” said Tarvinder Singh, ShowTech’s system engineer. “The clarity, depth and precision it provided brought his powerful vocals and the richness of Sufi music to life, and the audience was fully engaged throughout.”

“Working on the sound system for this event was an absolute pleasure,” added Dharam Koli, Pre-Design & Sales Engineer, VMT Enterprise. “ The set-up ensured crystal clear sound, which played a key role in creating a deeply engaging atmosphere. Seeing the audience connect so profoundly with the performance was incredibly rewarding.

“At VMT we pride ourselves on delivering solutions that exceed expectations, and this event was a testament to that commitment.”

The Martin Audio system exceeds all our expectations. The power, clarity, and precision it delivered during Umiya Mahotsav 2024 helped us create an unforgettable experience for attendees. The combination of the WPL and WPC line arrays provided excellent coverage, while the subwoofers ensured deep, punchy bass. This has been a game-changer for our business, allowing us to deliver top-tier audio quality that elevates our events..

From a technical perspective, the setup performed flawlessly. The flown subwoofers paired with the line arrays allowed us to create a balanced, immersive sound that captivated the audience. The amplifiers provided consistent power without any distortion, and the monitors offered pristine stage monitoring for the performers. As an engineer, working with such reliable, high-quality equipment makes the job infinitely easier and more rewarding.

This system truly enhanced the sound quality, making my job as a mix engineer so much easier. The clarity and depth allowed every detail to come through, while the powerful low-end added a rich, immersive feel. The equipment’s reliability ensured smooth performances, creating an unforgettable experience for both the performers and the audience. Working with this system was a transformative experience, setting a new standard for what we can achieve at SuperWaves.

UK: Part of theMerlinfamily who operate predominantly in the South-West, the500-capacityRegal TheatreinRedruthoccupies a stunning 1930s art deco building, doubling between cinema and live events.

Local contractors, TruCru, were brought in recently to overhaul the theatre PA, replacing an archaic system with a Martin Audio FlexPoint solution. As a community facility, the new PA needed to demonstrate the versatility to cater for a wide variety of shows—ranging from am dram, touring tribute acts, operatic societies and nationally recognised stand-up comedians, with a high SPL. Most importantly, it needed to banish the pre-existing hotspotting that was evident in a challenging building with a balcony tier and an acoustically difficult ‘stepped’ ceiling above.

While TruCru have had widespread experience specifying the manufacturer’s popular CDD series, in this instance both project manager Toby Bodman, and Ben Tucker, from Martin Audio’s Product Support Group, agreed that the shorter throw of the FlexPoint point source speaker would provide a more appropriate solution, with output and dispersion better suited to the room and the balcony rake.

It’s just a fantastic sounding box delivering so much SPL from such a compact form factor.

Assessing the pre-existing system, Bodman noted, “Certain bits didn’t quite work or had been cobbled together to make it work. Because of these issues the coverage had been very spotty. The client therefore wanted not only the best system to cater to the entire space but one that would provide as even a coverage as possible.”

Any doubts that FlexPoint would be able to throw to the very back of the steeply raked Circle and under-balcony were immediately allayed at the demo stage. “Any scepticism disappeared immediately, and even I was a little surprised just how far back it threw and was generally blown away with its overall performance. In fact the overriding comment from those who have heard the system was the extent to which the sound has improved. My one concern was a very fast reflection at the back of the under-balcony, but such is the efficiency of the system that you really don’t notice it at all.”

So how was this solution achieved? With two left/right FP12 mounted high on the proscenium for Circle coverage, and a further pair underneath for the majority of Stalls coverage, Two smaller FP8 then take over from the middle of the Stalls, while four compact FP4 are positioned along the front lip of the stage, to cover the pit area and front rows of the Stalls. An exposed stacked pair of SX215 subwoofers on each side of the stage occupy the positions of the previous subs, and finally six Blackline X15B have been provided for stage monitoring.

TruCru worked around existing rigging points and ran new speaker cable, although the signal remains in the analogue domain. A pair of dedicated DX4.0 system controllers store the DSP.

Summing up the impact of FlexPoint, Toby Bodman said TruCru had immediately put their money where their mouth is, placing a further order for their hire stock. “Aside from the punch that’s packed in such a small profile, it is also so lightweight. For example the 12in box is lighter than some other smaller 10in boxes we have in our hire stock. It’s just a fantastic sounding box delivering so much SPL from such a compact form factor—and the venue’s tech team fully agree.”