Butterworth Hall, the principal concert hall within Warwick Arts Centre and a centrepiece in the cultural output of the University of Warwick, Coventry, has upgraded its sound system.
The 1500+ capacity venue’s technical facilities have taken a step forward with d&b loudspeakers including the CCL and U-Series.
The new system was specified in response
to a changing performance programme, as technical manager Tim Clare recalls, “Our previous sound system was designed for a programme dominated by spoken word, classical music and
presentations. As we evolved towards more rock, pop and larger-scale music events, its limitations became increasingly apparent.”
With additional hire costs and the impact on floor space,
there was a need to find a new, permanent system capable of delivering substantially greater bass response, power and dynamic control, while providing a sophisticated, flexible solution
for the hall’s multiple stage formats, and both flat-floor and tiered seating configurations.
To take the step forward, they turned to HD Pro Audio, and various systems were
trialled in the space.
The final system design features d&b CCL left and right arrays, supplemented by d&b’s new U-Series loudspeakers – including U3, U5 and U7
– as various fills and delays.
Other system elements include XLS-SUBs and 44S front-fills, the latter’s cabling elegantly integrated into the Hall’s complex movable, four platform stage
design via recessed SpeakON connections hidden beneath removable magnetic plates.
The installation also delivered flexibility: presets enable rapid, effortless adaptation for different configurations, while the subwoofers can
be deployed either as left/right stacks or as a front-of-stage array for standing events.
Image: University of Warwick Graduation Event at Butterworth Hall. Photo credit: University of Warwick