Hall Sound Characteristics:
- The main audience area is ~15m long and 9m wide and holds up to 150-ish
- The stage is in addition to this and is about 4m deep and 8m wide
- The ceilings are vaulted and about 8m at their highest point
- All surfaces are hardwood, so the venue is acoustically lively
- Usually it’s straightforward to get a good, clean sound
- Within the context of our hall, the PA works well and goes way too loud if it’s cranked, and is fine for most outside concerts.
The hall has the following PA equipment:
- Soundcraft Ui24R 24 channel digital mixer (remote controllable via phone/tablet)
- 2 Yamaha DZR12 12 inch self-powered FOH speakers
- 2 QSC KS118 self-powered subs
- 2 QSC K12.2 12 inch self-powered foldbacks/ back-up FOH speakers
- 3 Yamaha DBR10 self-powered foldbacks
- Microphones – 5 SM58 + 5 SM57 + 1 Beta 52A (kick)
- 4 DI boxes
- Misc amps/small PA gear available for loan
Using Your Own PA:
- If you have a good system you’re familiar with, feel free to bring it, esp. if you need the exercise and your van feels weird and empty without it
* * Warning/Comments:
- If you bring your favourite guitar amp and crank it up everything gets too loud, the mix goes muddy and vocals are difficult to hear. Best to keep it turned down and mic it up
- The stage set up used at a large venue is overkill in our situation. If you have a standard stage plan for a large venue, we’ll aim to simplify it and avoid hiring extra equipment
- We usually operate the PA ourselves so there are no production costs, but feel free to bring your own soundtech
- If there is something critical that you can’t do without, please contact us early to discuss
Notes:
- We don’t normally mic drumkits, except maybe the kick – they’re loud enough as is
- The hall doesn’t officially have backline, but locals are usually willing to lend their gear e.g. various guitar amps can be borrowed
- If you want a mint copy of Clapton’s rig from ’69, you may be confusing UL with the Royal Albert Hall
- We don’t keep a stock of instruments, although guitars and ukes can be borrowed
- Worst case we can hire other items
Load In:
- Load in is straightforward. You can park right in front of the hall and there are no steps. 15 mins should be plenty
Sound Check:
- Sound check is normally 2 hours before the concert starts E.g. 5PM for a 7PM concert
Stage Lighting:
- The hall has full LED stage lighting operated from an upstairs control room or tablet.
Room Set Up:
- The set up for the hall varies. Usually a mix of theatre-style seating, and tables and chairs
- We encourage people to dance for acts where it’s appropriate