New Sound System For O2 Academy Glasgow In Scotland

Matthew McAndrew – New speakers for the O2 Academy Glasgow
The new system comprises left and right flown arrays of ten K2 speakers a side – hung from new points – and 12 L-Acoustics SB28 subs distributed on and beneath the stage.

Following similar installations at other Academy Music Group venues in London, Bristol and Newcastle, the 2,550-capacity O2 Academy Glasgow was next to receive a new touring spec sound system.

The project was led by Adlib’s John Hughes and Roger Kirby, who collaborated closely with Jeff Woodford, applications engineer (installations) and Sergey Becker applications engineer (touring) from L-Acoustics.

Together, they worked with Academy Music Group’s divisional manager (North), Steve Hoyland.

Adlib also consulted the experience and knowledge of its own production and touring crews and engineers, especially Andy Russell, who frequently work in the O2 Academy Glasgow, which has a theatrical interior, including many original art deco features.

The venue’s technical manager Rob Watson and general manager Chris Johnston had valuable input as well.

Said Kirby: “The collective input from all these slightly different perspectives made the process more dynamic and very enjoyable.”

 

The room was initially modelled using Soundvision acoustic profiling software, which suggested that – particularly with its 270-degree seated wrap-around balcony and pros arch design – an L-Acoustics K2 system would produce the best results.

Holland explained that the ultimate objective was to have a versatile system that “delivered superb coverage and would work well for live rock’n’roll shows, late-night club nights and spoken word and comedy events.”

Matthew McAndrew – O2 Academy Glasgow
Jorja Smith, Richie Hawtin, Glenn Hughes, Daughtry and Rudimental are among the artists that already got to experience the new sound system

The new system itself comprises left and right flown arrays of ten K2 speakers a side – hung from new points – and 12 L-Acoustics SB28 subs distributed on and beneath the stage.

Four ARCSII a side provide near field stalls fills, joined by two X8 passive coaxial speakers on the centre of the stage apron to fill the area just above and behind the barrier line.

All of these are driven by LA8 amplifiers located in a new climate-controlled amp room that was created in the most recent refurbishment plans.

The FOH and monitor consoles are both DiGiCo SD12s with individual D2 rack stage racks.

The O2 Academy Glasgow being a heritage building with listed status, the ornate decoration, original Art Deco features and plasterwork meant there were plenty of considerations, especially when it came to the roof loading capacity, all of which had to be overcome with Academy Music Group’s expertise.

Adlib supplied the two LP1000 D8 hoists – sourced from Merseyside based LTM – to hang the two K2 arrays, and the new steelwork and points necessary to fly these were designed and installed by Manchester-based structural experts, MJ Consulting Engineers.

The venue’s power supply has been upgraded to accommodate the new rigging infrastructure and to accommodate all the kit in the amp room.

For monitors, Adlib specified and supplied a sensible general-purpose system to service a wide array of artists, based around 10 of their famous MP4 monitors driven by Linear Research LR4420 amps, which, according to Adlib, is “a combination that is tried-and-tested, very flexible, sounds brilliant and is constantly out working.”