| During the 2008 Plasa Show, James Baker of Three Media Creative approached KV2 Audio to provide a custom specified sound system for a state of the art new show taking place in Palma, Majorca. Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful “Pirates Adventure” production, “Come Fly With Me” is the brainchild of Martin Smith, creative designer for Global Balear. The story centers on a day in life of a New Yorker in the 1950’s set to the timeless music of Frank Sinatra and other swing era artists. However, like the “Pirates Adventure” production, it is not simply a musical. A stunning mix of aural and visual entertainment that draws comparisons with the famous Cirque de Soleil productions make “Come Fly With Me” a truly unique experience.
The realisation of such an ambitious project requires huge investment and limitless imagination and creativity. However, even these factors are all but useless without the right environment and venue. When Global Balear made the decision to take over the Gran Casino Theatre, James Baker was all too aware of the unusual arena dimensions and coverage issues thrown up by it’s secondary balcony level. James presumed that a KV2 Audio VHD system would be required to fill the 46m wide and 25m deep auditorium but was pleasantly surprised when KV2 Audio’s Director of Technical Projects, Andy Austin-Brown presented him with system drawings featuring a double ES system.
The ES System comprised of three separate double ES hangs, situated above stage left, centre and right each powered by their respective EPAK 2500R amplifiers. When it came to specifying subs, it was vital that they did not intrude into the eye line of the audience or the performance area. KV2 Audio’s impressive footprint to output ratio meant that just six ES2.5’s were the solution to this problem, and their ability to excite the auditorium proved unquestionable. Supporting the ES system were eight EX10 active enclosures that served as in fill under the balcony area.
James Baker and Andy Austin-Brown visited the site in February to finalise positioning and cable routes prior to the installation commencing a few weeks later. Along with James and Andy, Peter Butler, Sales Manager of AC Entertainment Technologies, was involved with supplying the KV2 systems whilst also providing projection, fly-ware, cabling and control surfaces.
After the first listening tests featuring excerpts from the show, Martin Smith commented.
“The audio system that Three Media Creative have designed and installed has been truly excellent. The clarity of the audio is exceptional, the coverage and balance superb, and the feeling of being right next to the performer anywhere in the theatre is breathtaking and makes the hairs on your neck stand up”
Likewise, James Baker quoted the following:
“The KV2 Audio system we installed into the Gran Casino Theatre is brilliant. My first doubts about the small number of boxes were very quickly displaced when Andy and Mick (Butler, KV2 Audio’s UK Sales Director) came to give me a listening session. The ES1.0’s have bags of headroom, and when in the coupled configuration we have chosen, give us great horizontal and vertical control with a surprising SPL of 139dB. We have amazing dispersion with the LCR configuration, and easily enough bottom end with just the six ES2.5’s.
As with all the KV2 products, there is no colouring from the boxes, and they produce perfectly what you send them. The ES1.0’s work outstandingly, even at lower levels, we have a part in the show where the lead singer sits and sings the old classic “One for My Baby”, and it sounds like he is sat right next to you.
The EX10, we are using for under balcony delays, and for part of the monitoring system, is such a versatile box with fantastic clarity and throw. A real toolbox. Brilliant”
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