Metallica and Meyer Sound LEO inaugurate Quebec Arena with a TM Array in a circle

The American thrash metal band has used a speaker system from the LEO Meyer Sound family in a circular arrangement for the first time, combined with 1100-LFC low frequency control elements in a TM Array configuration, during the inauguration of Videotron Center, in the Canadian city of Quebec, with capacity for 20.000 personas.

The inauguration of Videotron Center, located in the new Quebec Arena, main headquarters of this city in Canada to celebrate indoor events, mainly for ice hockey and concerts, with capacity for 18.259 seating, In this last case, it included a concert by the American thrash metal band Metallica., who acted before 20.000 personas.

for this concert, Metallica's engineer for more than thirty years, ‘Big Mick’ Hughes, has used for the first time and in a circular arrangement a loudspeaker system from the LEO family Meyer Sound, combined with 1100-LFC low frequency control elements in a TM Array configuration.

As Hughes has pointed out, “I've never heard that amount of bass range before.” (with such a definition) when we play in a circular arrangement. The TM Array works fantastically well and the 1100-LFC, simply, "They have an immoral amount of power.".

TM Array configuration comprises forty 1100-LFC elements, configured in four arrays suspended directly above Lars Ulrich's drum set to propagate a donut-shaped pattern, uniform low frequencies throughout the stands.

“By working in a circle you have to get control of what you are doing.”, Fortunately LEO is very controlled at low frequencies -Hughes points out-. You are in the near field of a part of the PA, but you may have problems with the room environment generated by the rest of the array elements going in other directions. LEO makes it completely manageable. With its phase coherence, you get better penetration in the room and avoid low-medium frequencies, extending towards the rear area and sides”.

The main arrays of Videotron Center are comprised of 72 LEO-M line arrays for the long sides of the venue, y 72 Lyon-W line arrays with wide coverage for short throws, while four Lyon-M and Lyon-W have been installed for each down-fill for the final blocks.

Eight Mica line arrays and sixteen M’elodie powered the front-fill during the Metallica concert; four JM-1P arranged in an array were suspended for each down-fill, y 48 700-HP subwoofers covered the lower stands. A Galileo Callisto speaker management system, consisting of two Galileo array processors 616 AES y 10 Galileo Callisto 616, provided unity and alignment of the system.

The band also performed two nights at the Colisée Pepsi (which was what it was called before its inauguration and remodeling), where most of the components of the same system were developed in an end-stage configuration.

All these systems were supplied by the headquarters of Solotech a Montreal. Metallica tours have their own stage monitor system, which usually includes 36 Meyer Sound MJF-210.

“The coverage was incredibly uniform, due largely to the way they combine LEO and Lyon in terms of patterns - adds Lee Moro, senior project manager at Solotech -, and the power allows you to hit the point with all the level you need. All the packaging and clarity was there”.

Hughes mixes live on a Midas XL8 digital console, with DPA d microphones:vote 4099 on the battery. The vocal microphones used by the band are supercardiode dynamic models. Shure Super 55 that favor your musical style.