ATLANTA – The Zac Brown Band and SES (Special Event Services) used Martin Audio's new MLA (Multicellular Loudspeaker Array) for yet another big show, this one on New Year's Eve at Atlanta's Philips Arena.
"SES got to deploy all of their latest acquisition of Martin Audio's MLA system, including the first outing of the MLD downfill cabinet," noted Martyn "Ferrit" Rowe, Martin Audio's technical liaison for the MLA system.
Featuring five opening acts (Nic Cowan, the Wood Brothers, Sonia Leigh, Casey Dreissen and Levi Lowrey), all of which are on Zac Brown's Southern Ground record label, the sold-out show drew 16,500 fans.
"The MLA system provided 270 degree coverage using left and right arrays of 15 MLAs and one MLD each, with two additional side arrays of eight MLAs with two MLDs each per side," Rowe said.
"The main broadside subwoofer array of 12 MLX in front of the stage was also augmented by two flown arrays of six MLX subs and additional W8LM cabinets as front fill cabinets.
"Mixing duties were handled by Eric Roderick who after spending four hours of sound checks and four hours of show behind his D-Show profile said, ‘It's amazing, I don't feel tired at all!'
"System tech duties were shared by Preston Soper and me," Rowe added, "and an additional monitor console (PM5D) was added to the normal D-Show Profile."
Asked about the show, Jeff Cranfill, VP of SES said, "It went really well. The box performed great, and that was the first time I heard that many at one time."
In terms of specific challenges for the ZBB New Year's Eve event, Cranfill said, "Phillips Arena is a really tall building and that effects the low end. And what impressed me at this show, because it goes through a wide range of dynamics from straight up rock and roll to eclectic folksy material with acoustic instruments that can wreak havoc, was that the low end from the MLA system did not smother anything. It was very tight, constant and as a former bass player, I could hear all of the bass pitches rather than rumble and roar.
"With this type of music, vocals are still the primary issue. And no matter what they threw at the system in terms of different instruments, the vocals were still there, which was another major plus. Plus, being a powered box, we always had enough headroom.
"In terms of coverage, I spent a lot of time walking around the arena and everywhere I went, it sounded exceptional. Eric Roderick, Zac Brown Band's FOH engineer, has praised the system ever since we've had it. And I've heard Zac and other band members talking about the system and their comment to me is just, ‘Man, this PA's great!'"
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