MARTIN AUDIO WPC MAKES ITS MARK AT MUTATIONS FESTIVAL

https://martin-audio.com/news/press-release/martin-audio-wpc-makes-its-mark-at-mutations-festival

Martin Audio partner, Penguin Media Hire, recently provided production, including a Martin Audio WPC scalable resolution line array, for the main stage at the all-day Mutations Festival. The event took place at the 900-capacity Hansen Hall on the outskirts of Brighton, and was staged by promoters One Inch Badge and Small Pond.

Describing the venue as “a hidden gem of a venue, crying out for a day of live music,” Dylan Thompson, System Technician and Technical Project Manager, Penguin Media Hire, reveals that the WPC line array was arranged in three ground-stacked elements each side of the stage, with a pair of Martin Audio SX218 subwoofers per side. The system, along with five Martin Audio XD monitors, was powered by four iKON iK42 4-channel amplifiers. An Allen & Heath mixing desk was used at FOH and a comprehensive mic, stand and cables package was also provided.

Bands included Colossal Squid, Saint Agnes, Snapped Ankles, Flamingods and Goat Girl, with the superb White Denim headlining.

I CAN HONESTLY SAY IT DELIVERED BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS ON THE DAY.

Chris Lowe, One Inch Badge

Speaking of WPC’s main attributes, Thompson continued, “The system is quick to deploy, lightweight and sounds great. We are well versed in using the DISPLAY and VU-NET software from working with MLA in the past, so our switching to the new iKON amplifiers, which WPC uses, was extremely straightforward.

“Coverage of the room was excellent, and using WPC in 3-box resolution meant that production budgets were met. In fact, having the option to scale resolution based on the environment demands and budgets is a big plus. The system performed faultlessly all day, with headroom to spare.”

His sentiments were echoed by Patrick Andrews, FOH engineer and Hire Manager, Penguin Media Hire. “I was amazed at the response and even coverage achieved straight off the software calculations, with only minor tweaks needed to sort room modes. The system handled the content effortlessly, providing a clear punchy sound to every corner of the venue and plenty of headroom ensuring all transients were delivered accurately. I always know it will be a good show when we have this tech on our side.”

The final word came from Chris Lowe, General Manager for One Inch Badge, who praised the professionalism of Penguin Media Hire. “We used them for our production requirements after many site visits and positive discussions with Dylan and Patrick about what could be achieved in a room that has never been used for such an event.

“I trusted their judgement on using a Martin Audio PA for full coverage of the room and audio quality for the punters. I can honestly say it delivered beyond my expectations on the day. I’m looking forward to doing it all again soon.”

WPC BRINGS PLEASURE TO BRIGHTON PRIDE

https://martin-audio.com/news/press-release/wpc-brings-pleasure-to-brighton-pride

For the fourth year running The Pride Pleasure Gardens on Brighton’s Old Steine recreated its own unique experience during Brighton & Hove Pride Festival Weekend. The Old Steine Gardens were transformed around two 1,000-capacity big tops for three days, with entertainment ranging from camp bingo and cheesy pop to stunning cabaret, vibrant live performances, cool DJs and hot clubbing.

Working for Ian Baird’s production company, Whiskey Bravo Productions, were Brighton based sound and light company Penguin Media Hire, enjoying their first year at the festival. Headed by technical project manager Dylan Thompson, the company was tasked with creating a technical infrastructure, including sound (in the shape of Martin Audio PAs), lighting and temporary power for the site; and although this provided a real challenge, it was one they came through with flying colours.

“We narrowly missed out on this event last year, but when we visited we saw elements that we knew we could improve on,” stated Thompson. “So having worked previously with Whiskey Bravo, we successfully quoted on the Pride Pleasure Gardens this year. It was a great location as we were in our own little bubble.”

Assisting them on main stage was the next generation, scalable resolution of three ground-stacked Martin Audio Wavefront Precision Compact (WPC) enclosures, boosted by a pair of SX218 subwoofers on each side and a further pair of Blackline X8 as front fills. “The BlacklineX boxes did really well,” said Thompson, “they are a brilliant little speaker.”

THE DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF THE MARTIN AUDIO SYSTEM ALLOWED US TO PRODUCE A FAR RICHER SOUND WITHIN OUR STAGES.

Ian Baird, Whiskey Bravo Productions

Penguin ran the WPC in three-box resolution, but aware of the proximity of nearby residences, Dylan Thompson was able to programme the Martin Audio DISPLAY software to optimise the sound within the boundaries, without offsite leakage. “Because the PA was facing straight down the 20-metre deep tent which was open at the end, I programmed it to slope off immediately at the back. The sound dropped off like a stone and not one person complained about the noise over the duration of the event.”

Inside the tent it delivered great results for the main act, Spice Girl Mel C, collaborating with Sink The Pink on the Saturday night.

Penguin Media Hire also equipped the second, DJ / big bar tent with four Martin Audio XD12 and four WS18X subs, with all loudspeakers powered by Martin Audio iKON iK42 amplifiers. The sound source could be piped between tents or run from independent sources.

From Penguin Media Hire, assisting Dylan Thompson was Patrick Andrews, while Sonny Evans was on duty at FOH all weekend.

In conclusion Thompson said he was extremely happy with the result, particularly the fact that they managed to avoid any environmental noise issues. “Having worked with WPC in similar sized set-ups we knew that it would work, and being able to provide full coverage with so few boxes also helped with the budget.”

Ian Baird went further in expressing his satisfaction.“Whiskey Bravo Productions have been delivering the Pleasure Gardens for Brighton & Hove Pride CIC for the last four years at the Old Steine in Brighton. This is a city centre location surrounded on all sides with both residential and commercial properties making it particularly sensitive to noise bleed both during office hours and at evenings and weekends. The system deployed this year by Penguin Media Hire really opened up the options available to us in terms of delivering multiple sound sources in a tight location.

“The dynamic properties of the Martin Audio system allowed us to produce a far richer sound within our stages without serious issues with sound bleed, both between stages and out of the wider site.”

PENGUIN MEDIA HIRE APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR AND ANNOUNCES EXPANSION

Penguin Media Hire, the Brighton based event production and rental company, have appointed
Sonny Evans as their new Managing Director. This coincides with the announcement of their expansion with a London warehouse and further facilities to come in the near future.

Co-founder Dylan Thompson explains:
“We have worked with Sonny on a number of projects over the years, and we’ve always had a great working relationship. With an exit in sight from the Covid nightmare we have all found ourselves in, now is the time to continue securing the best team for our current and future clients.
Our sales and installation sector of the group, Penguin Media Solutions, is taking much more of my focus, and I can’t think of anyone better to push the rental and event production side onwards.”
Penguin Media Hire have also secured a new premises less than a mile from ExCeL London, placing them in a great position to service their London clients as well as those further afield, to supplement the facilities already available at their Brighton & Hove base.

Sonny comments “It’s been a horrendous and unpredictable time for the whole industry over the last fourteen plus months, but thankfully, due to the variety of industries I work with, I’ve managed to keep busy both working and developing plans for the future. My philosophy from the start has always been to build strength for myself and the industry by networking and collaborating with like-minded companies. As the saying goes, we are stronger together!
“I’ve been working closely with the team at both Penguin Media Solutions and Penguin Media Hire for several years. We have always got on really well – we have complimentary skills, the same views, outlooks, and most importantly, morals. Joining the Penguin family not only seems like the sensible decision, but it seems the most natural progression in continuing to build something really special, and honestly, since we first started talking about my appointment as Managing Director of Penguin Media Hire, I’ve been really excited about the future and can’t wait to get started!”

One of the first projects Evans is undertaking is the development of the new London site for Penguin Media Hire, which will not only house offices and warehousing, but fully kitted out training, demo and pre-production facilities, providing a London location to complement the matching facilities on the south coast.
MD of Penguin Media Solutions, Charlie Langridge adds, “We’ve been working with Sonny for years, so now to have him onboard as an official member of the Penguin family is great. I’m looking forward to working with him to build the group to achieve its vast potential”