Warwick Arts Centre’s Butterworth Hall steps forward with d&b’s CCL and U-Series.
Butterworth Hall, the principal concert hall within Warwick Arts Centre and a centrepiece in the cultural output of the University of Warwick, Coventry, has recently upgraded its sound system. Now, the 1500+ capacity venue’s state-of-the-art technical facilities have taken another major step forward with d&b’s latest innovations, including CCL and U-Series.
Sound for an evolving programme
The new system was specified in response to a changing performance programme, as Technical Manager Tim Clare recalls, “Our previous sound system was designed for a programme dominated by spoken word, classical music and presentations. As we evolved towards more rock, pop and larger-scale music events, its limitations became increasingly apparent.”
With additional hire costs and the impact on floor space, there was a need to find a new, permanent system capable of delivering substantially greater bass response, power and dynamic control, while providing a sophisticated, flexible solution for the hall’s multiple stage formats, and both flat-floor and tiered seating configurations.
To take the step forward, they turned to sound solutions provider, HD Pro Audio – part of the Marquee Group and long-established integration arm Marquee AV – led by Andy Huffer.
d&b CCL proves its worth
Through HD Pro Audio, various systems were trialled in the space. However, after Tim Clare and his colleagues had experienced d&b audiotechnik’s new CCL (Compact Cardioid Line Array) system when the company’s demo roadshow visited Butterworth Hall, Clare was astonished by CCL’s combination of output and cardioid control. He recalls, “CCL blew me away, it’s fair to say. Being able to stand on stage and have a conversation while there’s 110dB going out the front – it’s witchcraft! It really is magic the way they do it.”
Clare was particularly struck by the LF performance of CCL alone: “The CCL’s bass response is amazing,” he says. “My seat vibrated, and I’m thinking, this shouldn’t be happening!”
All of this made d&b the preferred solution. Subsequent formal demonstrations, backed up by comprehensive training at d&b’s GB base, confirmed that CCL could indeed perform in this way. What’s more, its compact dimensions would help protect sightlines.
Andy Huffer says, “Despite the hall’s shift in programming, spoken word remains a major part of its content, so CCL’s cardioid characteristics were particularly significant. For this type of venue, I believe it’s the best solution.”
A consistent solution
The final system design sees CCL left and right arrays, supplemented by d&b’s new U-Series loudspeakers – including U3, U5 and U7 – as various fills and delays. “The U-Series offered consistency across the installation,” says Andy Huffer. “Despite their different output capabilities, the various sizes offer the same basic sonic character, meaning we can confidently combine them.”
Further finesse came with an A-Series centre cluster. “The three ALi90s can run as an extension of the main left and right to cover the potential gap at the front section,” explains Huffer. “If they want to put all the vocals through it, it’ll give good coverage and localization – or it can be used for dedicated left-centre-right mixing.”
“The A-Series is also very unobtrusive,” he adds, “a clean and tidy addition.”
Other system elements include XLS-SUBs and 44S front-fills, the latter’s cabling elegantly integrated into the Hall’s complex movable, four platform stage design via recessed SpeakON connections hidden beneath removable magnetic plates.
Adapting to needs
The installation also delivered flexibility: presets enable rapid, effortless adaptation for different configurations, while the subwoofers can be deployed either as left/right stacks or as a front-of-stage array for standing events.
A fitting result for first-class performance
The finished system is capable of handling the venue’s increasingly diverse programme without compromising speech-led applications, while the audio performance has exceeded expectations. The result is, according to Clare, a system that combines power, sophistication, flexibility and discreet physical design: “d&b was by far the best solution,” he notes.
