Lab.gruppen’s PLM 10000Q Powered Loudspeaker Management system is providing power for a state-of-the-art audio system in a key area of the new Westfield London shopping complex. The vast 43-acre Westfield site – situated in Shepherd’s Bush, West London – is expected to receive up to 60,000 visitors each day.
At the centre of the complex is The Atrium, a 6,500sqm rectangular area that will host a range of entertainment, including live performances and exhibitions. The audio system for the area was developed and installed by Surrey-based audio contractors Delta Sound, and features a networked solution based on EtherSound and incorporating equipment from Lab.gruppen, EM Acoustics and Yamaha.
“From the first time we showed them the PLM 10000Q, it was clear Delta Sound were impressed by the technology and saw immediately how it could be put to use,” remarked Guy Lewis, Managing Director of Audioforce, Lab.gruppen’s UK distributor, and no stranger to DSP. “Delta wanted to utilize all the benefits of a digital system and the marriage of Lake Processing with Lab.gruppen goes beyond anything else available. The first reaction was, “Great! AES Inputs!” as Delta’s Lee Dennison and Daren Hurst wanted to have a fully digital signal path and avoid multiple A to D conversions.”
The PLM 10000Q integrates Dante networked digital signal distribution, Lake drive processing, 2.7kW/channel power amplification and load verification plus performance monitoring into a single unit, with a unified Lake Controller software. “The Lake Controller software interface is acclaimed for its ease-of-use and will be a great tool to get the system set-up quickly. The additional loudspeaker “Fingerprints” will mean the entire speaker system can be checked for faults or damage in a few seconds and this will give real peace-of-mind to the engineering staff,” added Lewis.
The PLM’s power platform is based upon the highly successful and tour-tested FP+ Series, which are also included in the Westfield system. “In addition to the four PLMs powering the EM Acoustics line array system, there is an FP 6000Q in the rack as well as a utility amp when further kit is wheeled in or additional amp channels are needed,” he confirmed. There are also three fP 2600 amplifiers to provide clean, reliable power to the monitor system.
“In all, there are 26 channels of powered loudspeaker management, taking up very little rack space compared to having stand-alone DSP and rack after rack of 2-channel amps. It is a high-density system, not just in terms of power delivery, but also in terms of EQ, control and load verification. It is everything Delta Sound wanted, to create a world-beating system.”
The first live performance in The Atrium took place at the end of October and featured singer Leona Lewis, winner of the 2006 series of The X Factor.