Rotterdam-based A/V rental company Bremer Media & Events has bolstered its audio inventory with the acquisition of a Martin Audio Torus Martin Audio Torus array sound system.
Bremer is not a traditional rental house. Since the recent acquisition of FrameWave, the company has shifted focus to provide comprehensive creative event design and technical support – offering a complete service from idea to technical execution. And as technical experts for a diverse range of large-scale events and co-managers of the Onderzeebootloods venue in Rotterdam (a former submarine wharf), the company required a solution that could meet the demands of a colossal industrial venue while remaining agile enough for more intimate deployments.
‘We offer a very broad range of services, where A/V is an essential part of the bigger picture,’ confirms Bremer Media & Events Operations Director, Rick van der Vegt. ‘Our ambition with the Martin Audio investment was to guarantee consistent quality and be less dependent on the rental market. We were looking for a scalable sound system, capable of handling large-scale events with ease.’
The search for the solution for their needs began two years ago, through a referral to Ampco Flashlight Rental, Martin Audio’s distributor in The Netherlands. ‘Bremer decided it was time for the next step,’ says Martijn de Jong of Ampco Flashlight Sales. ‘Previously, they often had to rent equipment for larger jobs but wanted their own scalable, high-end audio under their management.’
Bremer’s inventory now comprises six T1215 and two T1230 constant curvature array elements, eight SXC118 cardioid subwoofers, and six FP12 FlexPoint loudspeakers, accompanied by five iKon IK42 four-channel amplifiers.
‘The beauty of Torus is its incredible scalability,’ van der Vegt notes. ‘One day you are deploying a small sub-top set for a seminar; the next, everything is rigged together for a major production. That is exactly the flexibility we were looking for. Depending on the brief, Torus allows for a powerful front-facing array or a distributed system across a wide area.’
In addition, rider acceptance was a decisive consideration: ‘The price-performance ratio is excellent, and it is a system that is widely accepted by visiting engineers,’ he adds. ‘We can now facilitate small festivals with absolute confidence.’
The system has seen immediate action, ranging from events as diverse as high-profile corporate meetings at the Onderzeebootloods, to the high-energy environment of the Rotterdam Marathon.
‘Whether it’s a high-impact DJ set, a live band, or a business conference, the combination of Torus T1215 and T1230 cabinets ensures dispersion and impact are always exactly as desired,’ de Jong concludes.
‘The process with Ampco Flashlight was exactly the way we like it – approachable and down-to-earth,’ adds van der Vegt. ‘Martijn speaks our language, and he helped us find the perfect match for our needs. Now we are proving it in practice.’