CSP debuts newly-purchased K1 at Singapore Grand Prix
Published: ASIA
SINGAPORE: CSP Productions was able to put its brand new inventory of L-Acoustics K1, K2 and Kara systems to use for the first time at this year’s Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. The systems were deployed at a purpose-built venue in front of Singapore’s National Arts Gallery to support the event’s live music complement, which featured headline performances across the weekend from Pharrell Williams, Maroon 5 and Bon Jovi.
‘The final decision to purchase K1 was made after much evaluation of current market offerings,’ offered CSP owner, Kenny Heng. ‘A combination of key factors such as rider demand, manufacturer relations, technology, sonic characteristics, usability and inventory integration were strongly considered. Our selection of the K1 system was logical because of our long-term relationship with L-Acoustics and our familiarity with their products, having been the exclusive V-Dosc partner for Singapore and Malaysia for the past 15 years.
‘The integration of the new system into our current inventory was rapid, due to the existing amplification and support platforms currently employed,’ added Mr Heng. ‘Our CSP Productions audio team was already familiar with the L-Acoustics workflow and system configuration philosophies and we are confident that the K1 system will allow us to handle the increasing demand for large format events and arena scale concert tours.’
Having been contracted to provide the technical production for the Grand Prix, CSP decided to deploy the K1 system to cover the 100m-wide by 200m-deep audience area at the National Arts Gallery. Following Soundvision modelling of the audience area, a main system was flown comprising 14 K1 elements, 12 K1-SB and three Kara per side, with additional low end from eight groundstacks of four SB28 subs. In addition, dV-Dosc enclosures were included on each stack for immediate front fill coverage.
‘The top K1 were aimed at a distance of 100m, with the near audience covered by the Kara downfills,’ explained Zulkarmain Muhammed, the system engineer for the event. The K1-SB were flown next to the K1, which enabled us to enhance the low end contour and extend the frequency response of the system down to 30Hz, while minimising the low frequency build-up on stage.’
A further 12 K2 per side provided outfill, with the top six cabinets set at a 70-degree horizontal dispersion pattern to address the longer distance, while the lower cabinets were set at 90-degrees for ‘optimum coverage’. Two sets of delays comprising two arrays of eight K1 extended coverage to 160m, with the second comprising two arrays of eight V-Dosc to cover the remaining 60m. Two Kara flown below each K1 delay catered for the audience near the LED screen mounted on the same structures, with eight SB28 subs added to extend the frequency response. Each V-Dosc delay was also complemented by four SB218 subs. The full system was powered by a total of 64 LA8 amplifiers, which were connected to an L-Net network for remote control and monitoring via L-Acoustics LA Network Manager.
‘The decision to deploy K1 for the first time at the main stage for the Singapore Grand Prix was based on the trust that the event organisers have in the CSP audio team and our ability to seamlessly switch to the new system,’ explained Mr Heng. ‘With the support from L-Acoustics, our team was able to pull off the event successfully. The system received favourable reviews from touring engineers and concert attendees alike. Touring engineers were comfortable, as they’ve used K1 for previous shows in their tours. Concert attendees were blown away by the fidelity and coverage of the system throughout the venue.’