Academy Music Group (AMG) has again backed Soundcraft’s versatile Vi digital platform, giving the mixing console a roving role in its new three-room O2 Academy Leicester, situated at the University of Leicester.
The upgradable 64-input Vi6 moved from its monitor position in O2 Academy2 for the very first show before relocating to the FOH position in the main room two nights later for the official opening (with Professor Green – Thursday 23rd September 2010).
“The Vi6 is fast becoming the industry standard, so we wanted to provide the same level of control as we do at our other O2 Academy venues — engineers can then travel between our venues and know what to expect,” said AMG’s Group Technical manager, Ed Jackson.
“We needed to be aware of what the sound engineers were saying, and judging from the response we have had to the Vi6 it will be on our spec for a long time to come.”
Describing the Soundcraft console, with its intuitive Vistonics II interface, as an easy desk to learn on, Jackson says the latest 4.0 software release has added some high level functionality. “The user-configurable fader layers provides the engineer with dedicated user channel channel patching, so in addition to the generic house patch he can map out his own channels on any of three user layers.” In other words, a combination of different inputs can be placed on one layer, as opposed to the standard set of sequential channels on the three fixed layers.
In the smallest room, O2 Academy3, AMG’s technical manager specified a Soundcraft MH3 analogue desk — also supplied and installed by Liverpool Adlib Audio, as was the entire audio infrastructure. “We felt it was important to have a desk with analogue inserts to allow sound engineers just starting out to learn with an analogue perspective.”
In fact Soundcraft consoles have been a fixture of AMG venues since the beginning. When Adlib Audio took over the audio installation contract the classic MH3’s made way for the Vi6 and Vi4 surfaces in the new world of digital.
The latest O2 Academy — part of a joint venture with the University of Leicester — is situated on campus in the Percy Gee Building.
Built in the late 1950’s, and having hosted many of the world’s leading rock bands over the years, this is the latest phase of the Percy Gee Building’s £18m development to improve its leisure facilities, including shops, restaurants and a Starbucks.
The main 1,450 capacity live music and club venue is an integral feature of this programme, supported by the two additional production-complete on-site venues — O2 Academy2 Leicester (500 capacity) and O2 Academy3 Leicester for 250 patrons, all of which will operate independently, with their own stand-alone sound and monitor systems, as well as simultaneously.
The venue’s main contractors were Morgan Sindall, architects were Shepheard Epstein Hunter and interior design within the five-storey building was undertaken by Blik.
Said Trevor Page, Student Union CEO, “When I started here in January 2009 I knew we needed a partner. I had a relationship with AMG and wanted to work with the O2 Academy brand. They have supplied the hardware and bookings and we will operate to their system.
“It’s a hybrid model — but we want to build up the music scene in Leicester, and this is all about opening it up to the community at large and futureproofing it. I’m convinced it will make a difference for the whole city.”
Responded Academy Music Group Chief Executive Officer, John Northcote, “Students now choose where to study based on the social and cultural aspects of a town or city, as well as the university’s academic reputation, and it is a positive step to introduce the O2 Academy brand to Leicester in partnership with the University of Leicester Students’ Union, O2 Academy Leicester will put the city back on the touring circuit.”
Further information:
www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft
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