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Clapton 2006–07 Tour Uses Vertec Worldwide
Eric Clapton is once again touring with a JBL VerTec line array sound system, the system having been specified by FOH engineer Rob Collins for the entire 2006–07 World Tour, taking in Europe, Australia, Japan, and the US.
Collins, now celebrating his 16th year in the FOH hot seat with the legendary guitarist, first used VerTec on the last Clapton tour in 2004, and comments: “It worked so well in so many different buildings and spaces last time that we went for it again.” He adds that he likes its natural sound. This is a vital element when mixing Clapton, as he tries to interfere with the sound coming offstage as little as possible. “VerTec deals with so many variables, and still sounds like a ‘classic’ PA,” he concludes.
He gets an exceptional sound from the system, across the wide range of musical styles encompassed within the current set; with plenty of separation and clarity, and kicking SPLs for the many rock ‘n’ roll moments. Clapton’s eclectic set embraces his prolific catalogue of musical styles since the dawn of his career in the early 1960s - which really puts the system to the test. From smoky, dirty blues tracks to moody ballads, to rock ‘n’ roll classics like “Cocaine” – each sounding as individual, ballsy and good as the next.
The first leg of Clapton’s 2006-07 world tour plays over 30 European cities across the summer, with audio equipment supplied by UK-based Concert Sound, who have also serviced the Clapton account for many years. They are carrying a total of 56 VT4889, eight VT4888DP, and four VT4887 elements on the European dates, plus subs. The initial leg of the tour, which kicked off at the end of May, included Clapton’s trademark ‘residency’ at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which proved as popular as ever.
For these shows, the rig comprised 44 of the VT4889s, split over three L-C-R hangs, the centre one containing 16 cabinets and 14 each side for left and right. The choir stalls were covered with two hangs of four-deep DrivePack self-powered VT4888DP’s. Elsewhere on the tour, the VT4888DP cabs are used to provide the necessary side and front fills for each particular venue.
Collins remarks that another great advantage of JBL’s line array system is that it’s not tied to any specific processor, allowing the freedom to find the combination that works for your specific application, rather than being tied to a particular ‘sound’. From a systems engineer’s viewpoint, Concert Sound’s Tim Peeling comments that the VerTec boxes are lightweight, very easy to rig, and handle, and give a very predictable and even coverage every time.
Onstage, monitor world is run by Kerry Lewis, and includes 12 special customised low profile wedge monitors, designed by Concert Sound’s Tim Boyle in collaboration with JBL. The ‘TM Series’ wedges all contain JBL components.
The 2006-07 tour visits a variety of venues including festivals and arenas, and some interesting outdoor spaces like Moscow’s Red Square, where this leg of the European tour closes on August 3rd.
The tour rocks on until May 2007, with Collins specifying a JBL VerTec system for all territories including Australia and Japan. In the US (where they kick off in September) this will be supplied by Sound Image from San Diego.
8th June 2006
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