Rock City raises performance with d&b’s XSL.
One of the UK’s best-loved live music venues, Nottingham’s Rock City has been at the forefront of the country’s touring circuit since 1980. This performance gem has now raised its game even further, upgrading the sound in its main space with a new XSL system from d&b audiotechnik . . .
Setting the scene
Over 45 eventful years, Rock City’s hallowed stage has hosted the likes of David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, R.E.M. and Iron Maiden – the list goes on and on. Still owned and run by the DHP Family, this 2,000-capacity venue’s program has developed over the years to include a thriving series of club nights in addition to the live music that has always been its staple.
The venue’s existing sound system, installed in 2009 by SSE Audio, was now reaching the point where it was time for an upgrade. Sam Joynes, Head of Production for the DHP Family, says, “The existing PA was close to 13 years old and coming towards the end of its lifespan – despite it still sounding good and operating well.”
Setting objectives
The DHP Family had worked closely with SSE Audio – now part of Solotech UK – across all its venues for a number of years. In 2018, an upgrade to Rock City’s smaller basement performance space, BETA, had seen a d&b audiotechnik xS-Series PA system installed by SSE Audio.
At that time, DHP’s technicians also benefited from system training with d&b’s Education & Application Support (EAS) team. d&b takes an active role in ensuring clients get the maximum benefit from its products, systems and workflows, providing support through education and training. Since the 2018 upgrade to BETA, d&b’s EAS team has formed a strong bond with DHP’s sound team.
When, in 2024, the decision was made to upgrade the sound system in the main room, that bond led to the choice of a brand-new system from d&b audiotechnik. The new PA needed to be able to meet Rock City’s growing program demands, and be rider friendly, delivering an expected industry standard for the touring guest engineers. They also required that it promised longevity to maximise the return on the investment, and – importantly – be power efficient.
Solotech UK’s Senior Sales Executive, Mark Day, was responsible for guiding them through the process. He says, “To get maximum ROI, the venue decided to go with as new a product as possible, rather than one which had already been on the market for some time. The XSL fit the room really well and had been on the market for less than 12 months.”
The smallest system in d&b’s ground-breaking SL-Series, XSL boasts unprecedented cardioid performance with full-bandwidth directionality control, offering a sought-after level of sound performance for this class of venue. To help prove the suitability of XSL, Solotech and d&b provided the venue with a full demo system for a two-week period in January 2023. “The feedback was unanimously excellent,” says Day.
The choice of XSL was confirmed. Completing in August 2024, the installation was carried out by Solotech, with Day as project manager. Representing the manufacturer were d&b’s Adam Hockley (Global Segment Development Manager, Performing Arts & Musical Theatre) and Richard McLean (Commercial Manager, UK and Ireland). McLean says, “When XSL launched as part of the SL series, the Rock City team was really interested in being involved with a product from the very start of its life-cycle – an investment which will serve them well for many years.”
The Solution
The new system has main L-R hangs of eight XSL8 and four XSL12 per side, plus three KSL-SUBs per side and five E8s serving as front-fills. Delays extend the coverage deeper into the balcony area, while outer hangs, each with a V-SUB, an AL60, an AL90, a V7P and two V10Ps, are deployed to cover the bar areas at either side of the main room: importantly, these elements can be controlled separately to achieve optimal audio coverage while still allowing the bar-staff to hear drinks orders.
The KSL-SUBS fitted comfortably within the venue’s existing sub enclosures and boosted the low-frequencies essential for the venue’s rock and club nights. To upgrade the venue’s monitoring capability, the design included an M4 monitor package, again the industry standard for venues and festival stages around the world, while powering the system are 10 installation-specific, 4-channel 40D amplifiers.
McLean says, “XSL’s inherent directivity control allowed us to reduce the spill onto the stage, whilst delivering the clarity, coverage and SPL expected in the venue, all from fewer loudspeaker cabinets than they’d been accustomed to.”
Rock City’s program has developed since the installation of its first permanent sound system in 2009. Since then, the business has evolved, and club nights have become a popular mainstay. “Rock City always did club nights, but now they’ve become a much larger element,” says Joynes. “We do double the number of club nights as we do gigs.
“With that in mind, when it came to this new system, we took a lot of time to look at fill speakers, adding sound where we didn’t have it before, to ensure that the coverage was as good as it could be. This system has really improved our club nights, with better coverage around the bar areas, the balcony, and VIP area. It’s a complete change for the club night experience.”
Joynes is pleased too with the improved energy efficiency – a major consideration as DHP strives to reduce emissions. Compared with the previous system, the Rock City PA is now using half the power for the same level of output. What’s more, the compact profile of the system has had a positive impact on sightlines.
Joynes concludes, “It’s important to us that we work with people who want to work with us. We’ve known Mark and Solotech for a number of years, and d&b had made it clear from the outset that they wanted to be involved in this project. They share our values, and we felt that we were in good hands.”
