Glyndwr Audio-Visual Team Trial New Equipment

The technical team behind the performances at the William Aston Hall have been trialing new cutting-edge equipment.

The AVL Technical Services team at Glyndŵr University has been given the opportunity to try out new sound and lighting desks in the 900-seat theatre.

Under the first deal, the team became the first in the UK to be given a commercial demonstration of a new digital audio desk, which it used at Chester Operatic Society’s recent production of Kiss Me Kate.

CUK Audio, which distributes professional audio equipment to organisations throughout the UK, provided Glyndŵr University with the new audio desk, a CDC8-16, for evaluation purposes.

The equipment is manufactured by CADAC, one of the world’s leading audio console manufacturers whose desks are used widely on Broadway musicals such as Billy Elliott, We Will Rock You, The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera. They are also used in world famous recording studios with acts such as the Rolling Stones, Pavarotti, Van Halen etc..etc.

At the Kiss Me Kate performance in Wrexham, the desk was used to relay the sound from 24 microphones in total, hooked up to stage performers and a full orchestra, plus keys and bass.

Glyndŵr University’s senior AVL Technician Darren Hughes said: “From time to time at the William Aston we get productions which are more demanding and the desk met our needs perfectly – allowing us to deliver the best quality sound production to everyone who came to watch the
show.

“We ran around 38 channels in total for Kiss Me Kate and the sound was clean and clear throughout.”

The new lighting desk, a Vista T2, made by JandsVista, another world leader in their field, has been supplied by AC Lighting.

The company also arranged a free half day training session for the university’s technicians and performing arts students as part of the trial.

Andy Cheatham, technical manager for Glyndŵr University, said: “CADAC are a major manufacturer of professional audio equipment so to have first trial of one of their new desks was a major plus for the university.

“The AVL team is essential to the university’s live events programme, providing sound and lighting in the William Aston Hall and Catrin Finch Centre, as well as for events at all of the university’s other campuses, technical audio visual support as well as video conferencing and we were delighted to be given the opportunity to use this equipment to enhance the experience for our customers.”