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Adlib rocks Ibiza with Manumission

Spain - Adlib Audio are supplying a JBL PA for the 2006 Ibiza Rocks season promoted by legendary superclub Manumission. This follows on from Adlib's supply of a two sound systems for Manumission's 2005 season. Representatives from the club initially approached Harman Pro UK about getting the best sound system in town, and HPUK's Max Lindsay-Johnson recommended the Liverpool based company to supply a suitable sound system. Adlib has a wealth of experience of club installations.

Adlib was asked to supply and run systems at Bar M for Ibiza Rocks and other events and also for the cavernous Music Box Bar at Superclub Privilege for Manumission's main Friday night events. Adlib's Andy Dockerty and David Jones sat down with designated Adlib crew for the 2006 Ibiza season - Chris Sudall and Danny Castree - and discussed the requirements.

They evolved an appropriate sound design, utilising a mid sized line array System to cover the main bar area with the necessary coverage and SPL, with a time aligned series of full range cabinets to cover the upstairs VIP and discreet bar areas etc. "The system needs all the relevant control to avoid annoying the neighbours in an outdoor environment," said Dockerty.

The staging was built especially for Ibiza Rocks, complete with sub cabinets incorporated under the stage for maximum impact as part of the design. This year, Manumission decided to use the back half of their Bar M Venue for live shows. The outdoor space was initially defined by the neat five metre high stage-and-roof structure from Tomcat, tailored to fit the space, which also includes sound and lighting rigging points, all initiated between production manager Mike Darling and Adlib's Andy Dockerty.

The Adlib team knew they would have two hanging points for the main arrays and decided on three JBL VerTec 4888 (mid sized) elements per side to fill the space. The directional nature of the VerTec came into its own. Noise pollution is a bit of an issue in San Antonio, with so many competing establishments in such close proximity. "VerTec is absolutely the perfect solution," says Sudall, "small, good looking and easy to focus."

A number of Harman brands are being used at both Bar M and The Music Box - including Soundcraft, dbx, BSS, Crown and AKG.

Bar M includes a large VIP section and a 'cubby-hole' bar at the back of the FOH mixing position consequently two Adlib AA 122s on stands are used for general infill, plus another four in the upstairs area, together with three AA 821s boosting the sound levels in the adjacent beach bar. For subs, Adlib is using four of their DF4 2 x 18's, dual 18" folded horn sub bass which work well in conjunction with the VerTec 4888's.

The FOH desk is a 56 channel Soundcraft Series 5, chosen because, "We have lots of visiting engineers to accommodate and it made sense to offer an industry standard desk. It has all the necessary functionality and is something that everyone will be familiar and comfortable with," says Sudall. He also wanted a large desk for the easy accommodation of two bands without having to re-set during the evening. Processing for the arrays is managed by BSS FDS 366T OmniDrive Compact Plus devices.

Effects include a TC M2000 effects processor, the industry standard Lexicon PCM 70 and two TC D2 digital delays. The compressors are all dbx - a mixture of 160s, 160As and 1066's, and the gates are all Drawmer DS201s. "Again, we went with dbx because it's so popular and lots of people specify them," explains Sudall.

Everything is powered by Crown VZ5002 amplifiers, installed under the stage mounted on specially raised platforms in case of flash floods. "The amps have been absolutely rock solid, even in the 35 degree heat," says Sudall.

They have also been using the new beta Version of JBL's SMAART analyzer software for Mac, which has been working very effectively reports Sudall.

Apart from installing the sub-stage amplifiers, the other main physical challenge was running the mains - which goes from backstage, across Avenida Dr Fleming - one of the busiest streets in San Antonio - hooking up to an 100 KVA genny parked in the car park the other side of the road.

In Monitor world, Danny Castree is using anther Soundcraft console - an SM20, and the main system EQ and processing control is a dbx DriveRack. A set of Adlib 15" wedges are powered by Crown Pulse amplifiers. Castree has Drawmer DS201 inserts, and is using BSS 422s for compression. Adlib is also supplying a full selection of mics including AKG, Shure and Sennheiser.

In the Music Box, they have installed five VerTec 4888s and three subs a side on the main stage. The FOH desk and complete monitor and control system is then moved from Bar M up to Privilege as and when needed.

Adlib supplied four crew for the get in and set up - led by James Neale and including George Kosar. They worked with Sudall and Castree, along with production manager Mike Darling and the Manumission crew.

"We're basically aiming to supply the specification and service you'd expect to find in considerably larger venues around the UK," says Dockerty. "The only way you'd know you weren't in a 2000 capacity UK gig is because it's very hot, it's outdoors and you overlook the sea, watching fabulous sunsets go down. The rider is chilled, everyone is friendly, so not many discrepancies really!"

(Chris Henry)

(27 July 2006)