L-Acoustics has announced the L Series line array, with patented Progressive Ultra-Dense Line Source (PULS) technology. L Series is currently in its pilot phase validation.
‘L Series is a breakthrough concept in concert sound that is made possible through the culmination of 30 years of intensive R&D in software modelling, loudspeaker technology, and electronics,’ says L-Acoustics Director of Product Management for Loudspeakers, Germain Simon. ‘When we analysed hundreds of projects using line source array across all genres and venues, we realised that most audience geometries and array shapes followed a similar trend. This led to the understanding that a fixed element with pre-defined progressive angles would provide incredible gains in quality, efficiency and sustainability.’
L Series comprises two elements that are designed to work rather together or separately – L2 above and L2D below. One L2 or L2D element provides the same contour as four K2 elements in a format that is 46 per cent smaller and 40 per cent lighter. The manufacturer claims the audio benefits of L Series encompass industry-leading SPL per size, unparalleled consistency over the audience area, and improved rejection everywhere else. Additionally, L Series revises deployment with a smaller, lighter footprint that reduces truck space and requires fewer elements, cutting the number of actions needed to load in and out.
The power density of the L Series is also unprecedented. Each element contains eight 3-inch high-frequency drivers and eight 10-inch low-frequency drivers, complemented by four side-loaded 12-inch drivers with front and back exits to deliver efficient, high precision broadband coverage with a choice of cardioid or supercardioid patterns.
L Series also features proprietary Panflex technology, which provides sound designers with quick access to a choice of four horizontal directivity patterns: 70° or 110° symmetrical, or 90° asymmetrical on either side. Each L2 element includes four Panflex modules, while L2D contains two Panflex modules on the top elements, and two fixed L-Fins progressing from 110° to 140° on the bottom elements.
The operating efficiencies of L Series originate from its shape. With no inter-element angles, a pin-less auto-lock rigging system, and a single cable connector, repetitive load-in-/load-out actions are significantly diminished. This creates a set-up environment that reduces errors and leads to a stunning three-fold decrease in loading time versus a similar K2 configuration or up to five times faster than Kara II.
L Series also claims to be environmentally kinder. Starting with material savings – 56 per cent less paint; 30 per cent less wood and 60 per cent less steel. At 30 per cent smaller volume and 25 per cent lower weight that an equivalent line source array, L Series is also frugal in truck space and consequently in fuel consumption.
The impact of the L Series is already being felt by Solotech on tour with Helene Fischer: ‘Our L2 system uses a fraction of the truck space as an equivalent K1/K2 system would have,’ says Holger Schader, Senior Consultant Concert Touring and Special Events at Solotech. ‘We used just one truck instead of two trucks for the audio on this tour. Load in is also easier and more fail safe because we only have four elements to connect instead of 16.’
Adding to system efficiency, L Series is driven by the new LA7.16 high-resolution touring amplified controller, which supports L2 and L2D with 16 channels of high-power amplification and processing. LA7.16 comes in a new LA-Rak III touring rack offering 48 channels of amplification in a Milan AVB-ready package with more than 60kW of power in a 9U-high rackmount footprint.
With L Series, L-Acoustics also introduces the new Clamp1000, which can carry up to four L2/L2D. It can also be used with Kara II, K3, or K2, supporting up to 16 K2. Using Clamp1000 users can rotate a flown line array from the ground, greatly saving set-up time and the number of motors needed.
In January of this year, L-Acoustics began a comprehensive L Series pilot phase with partners Britannia Row and Solotech. Between April and October, the pilot programme will progressively include six leading certified partners around the globe: PRG and Solotech in the Americas, Britannia Row/Clair Global and Novelty Group in EMEA, and Tokyo Sanko and Winly in APAC will be deploying the new technology for various live events in October of 2023 when the pilot phase concludes. Additionally, L-Acoustics deployed L2 and L2D at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach in California with support from Rat Sound and AEG Presents.
More: www.l-acoustics.com
