One of London’s longest running and best loved independent live music venues, The Half Moon has played host to the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bo Diddley, Kasabian and U2. Most recently, it has welcomed a new sound system from Flare Audio – and become the first venue to use the new SM15 stage monitors and V15C high SPL, point-source loudspeaker system.
‘What’s distinctive about Flare is how much power and clarity you get from such physically small boxes, – it really is impressive,’ says Hafl Moon Chief Engineer, Stevie Wyatt. ‘Having seen various PA systems come through the Half Moon in my 15 years here, this is the first rig I can run virtually flat – it just sounds right. This has been reflected in the many positive comments I’ve been getting from punters and bands since the installation.’
The system’s bass is supplied by Q218 ultra-sub cabinets and the flat-panel SB21: ‘When you first see our subs, it’s hard to believe they are dual 18s, as the boxes are so incredibly compact, but the ingenious design delivers plenty of stomach kicking power and a smooth, complete response right down to the low end of the spectrum,’ Wyatt says.
‘Equally impressive are the tops and floor monitors. They deliver consistent high-fidelity and vocal clarity no matter how hard you push the system. There are no holes in the coverage, they are super loud – it really is the perfect system for the venue. The headroom we have now is stratospheric.’
Flare Audio’s new V15C and the new SM15 Stage Monitor both feature 15-inch and 1-inch drivers, combining definition with feedback stability in a compact cabinet. The SM15 monitor measures 384mm x 421mm x 595mm, and has a maximum SPL of 133.5dB, and be used at either a 40° or 55° angles. The V15C extended bass point source cabinet measures 595mm x 459mm, with 210mm depth.
‘Everyone is really complimentary about the rig,’ Wyatt adds. ‘There’s some very clever design going on here, I’m definitely now a Flare convert and I look forward to seeing what else they bring out in the future.’
As part of the 2014 Independent Venues Week, The Half Moon was one of 18 participating venues that hosted a night as its official Independent Venue Week gig, with the evening’s line-up curated by Domino Records.
‘We are happy to be involved with a venue that has such a rich past and current vibrance in the live music scene,’ says Flare Audio MD, Kristin Hanson. ‘It’s an exciting pairing – the technology of our speakers, combined with a venue that values and respects both its artists and audience will in turn enhance the connection between both. The artists will be more accessible to the audience via the high definition sound that the technology provides.’
The British loudspeaker technology company is represented exclusively in the UK and Ireland by UK pro audio supplier, Orbital Sound.
See also:
Orbital Sound takes on Flare Audio distribution
More: www.flareaudio.com
More: www.orbitalsound.com
