RG Jones sounds out Glastonbury
Pyramid stage utilises Martin Audio and Synco by Martin Audio systems for Glastonbury 2008
EXCLUSIVE: The Glastonbury 2008 festival, which closed last night (June 29) utilised a Martin Audio system on the main Pyramid stage, it can now be revealed.
The main system, which comprised of four hangs of Martin W8L LongBow line array (two each side) was configured by Martin Audio's Jim Cousins. This was augmented by Synco by Martin W8LC delays. Further Synco by Martin Audio systems were used for on-stage monitoring.
The complete system was provided by UK firm RG Jones, part of the Synco European network, with the Martin Longbow packages dry-hired from London-based Capital Sound Hire. RG Jones also provided all FOH system, control, consoles and cabling for the stage.
Chris Beale, managing director of CBA, the audio system design and project management company for this year’s festival, released the information earlier today after a successful event.
And according to Beale, while most of the press decided to slate UK-based Funktion One for the performance of its system at last years Killer’s performance, what they didn’t take in to consideration was the real source of the problem: Interference from other stages.
Beale commented: “Last year there was a problem with the audio, not with the Pyramid stage specifically, but with interference between other stages. So we decided to take a new view on the criteria for all three stages (Pyramid, Jazz and Other) this year, which required a review on how they were designed and addressed each arena.
'We did not dictate the audio system that the respective audio rental companies had to use, rather we set a criteria for many things, including levels achieved, angles of elevation and considerations for wind effects. It also addressed low frequencies, horizontal coverage and several other specifics.”
All three contractors subscribed to the criteria set forth by CBA when choosing its sound system. APR chose an EV system for the Jazz Stage, Chris Fitch of Skan PA chose the d&b audiotechnik J-Series system for the Other stage and RG Jones decided on the Martin system for Pyramid.
According to Beale, the results were a big improvement on the inter-stage interference problems they faced last year. “RG Jones were more comfortable with the Martin system and it proved to the right choice. The results were good and it met the on-site criteria. We ran the show at proper levels, the sound was propagated all the way to the back and it achieved clarity in the far field,” stated Beal.
“The systems were 100 per cent reliable and we were pleased with the overall consistency.
The only problem was a power outage during Neil Diamond’s set, but that was due to a backline failure of his radio rack transformer. Leonard Cohen was remarkable, and, although I’m not a big hip-hop fan, Jay–Z blew me away.”
A full report on the 2008 Glastonbury Festival audio will appear in the next issue of Audio Pro. cba.uk.comrgjones.co.ukapraudio.comsynco-network.comskan-uk.com