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JBL VerTec for Eric Clapton
UK audio rental company Concert Sound has invested in 48 JBL VerTec VT4889 line array cabinets, which went straight out on the European and UK legs of the current Eric Clapton world tour. The system was supplied via JBL’s UK distributor, Harman Pro UK.
Clapton’s FOH engineer, the charismatic Rob Collins, has worked for the legendary artist since 1989. Collins is also one of the founding members of Concert Sound. An industry maverick in his own right, he won the Total Production ‘Sound Engineer of the Year 2004’ Award in February.
Concert Sound - whose directors also include sound engineers Jeff Hooper and Pab Boothroyd - had been discussing the addition of another large scale audio system to add to their hire stock for some time. They wanted something powerful and precise, and also a system that was familiar to many engineers. Collins had first used the VerTec on Clapton’s Japanese tour at the end of 2003, and had been impressed with the quality and delivery.
This, coupled with the fact that Concert Sound services the UK and European legs of tours for many US-based productions, swung them in the VerTec direction, as they were finding it specified increasingly. “VerTec sounds highly professional and very good,” states Collins, “so we went with that.” He also reckons it’s the most prolific line array systems in the world. “From Mexico to Malaysia, if a local company has a line array system, the chances are it’s VerTec,” he elaborates - another reason that helped cement their decision.
The standard Clapton show for this tour utilizes three stacks a side of VT4889 elements – 12, 8 and 6 respectively. The elegant form of the enclosures impacts minimally on sight lines around the stadiums.
For the largest stadiums in Europe – Copenhagen, Cologne and Barcelona - they arranged local sub-hires for an additional 16 4889 boxes. By carrying all the cabling and amplification needed to add these on to the system, it’s a neat and efficient way of touring exactly what’s needed.
In advance of the tour, JBL supplied a list of suppliers in each country for Concert Sound to contact and arrange the deals where needed.
Collins gets an exceptional sound from the system - plenty of separation and clarity and lots of kicking SPLs for the many rock ‘n’ roll moments. The eclectic set is a celebration of many Clapton styles and musical oeuvres over the years – which really puts the system to the test. From smoky, dirty blues tracks to the odd moody ballad, to rock ‘n’ roll classics like ‘Cocaine’ – each sounding as individual, ballsy and good as the next. The overall sonic aim is to keep the sound as natural, raw and unadulterated as possible, a task that the VerTec manages admirably. The system is powered by Lab.gruppen 6400 amps throughout.
Whilst setting up the VerTec deal, Concert Sound’s technical director Tim Boyle, MD Dave Catlin and system technician Dave Dixon also collaborated closely with JBL designer Andrew Rudkin to help develop a new customised wedge monitor. This contains JBL components, is named the ‘TM Series’, and Concert Sound are using 12 of the new creations on Clapton.
“There’s been lots of collaborative dialogue between us, JBL and Harman Pro UK,” says Collins. “It’s been a fun and productive experience.”
Harman Pro UK’s Max Lindsay-Johnson comments: “It’s been brilliant dealing with the team at Concert Sound, and with top engineers who know exactly what they want out of a system. And it’s great that they value the JBL product and service.”
Rob Collins mixes Clapton using a Digico D5 console. He’s joined by long term audio team-mate Kerry Lewis on monitors and a Concert Sound crew of four. The tour’s video is supplied by XL Video (director Blue Leach) and lighting by Neg Earth (LD Dave Maxwell).
7th May 2004
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