The UK’s new ‘next generation pro-audio service provider’ 22live has invested in three Outline Newton system processors as part of its initial hire inventory. The units were supplied by UK distributor CUK Audio.
The Midlands-based company has hit the ground running, having supplied touring systems for The Australian Pink Floyd Show and Sigur Rós, as well as a run of O2 Arena shows with UK rapper D-Block Europe. ‘We are using Newton as our front-end processor with the Martin Audio Wavefront Precision series,’ says Technical Director, Simon Gladstone. ‘The Newton lives in the FOH drive rack, sending PA returns to the Martin Audio IK42 amplifiers at stage end via our Dante enabled fibre backbone which carries control and comms.’
22live’s ‘no legacy equipment’ start-point has allowed the company to create state-of-the-art drive racks that also feature MIPro’s ACT-800 wireless system. This enables high-quality wireless transmission of measurement mic signals back to the drive racks, where they can be analysed, alongside processor direct transfer data, within Smaart via Dante.
‘Keeping the signal path as clean as possible, consoles are connected with AES3 by default, with the option of Dante where possible,’ Gladstone says. ‘We use Dante for PA returns, with an analogue backup which is also generated from the Newton. Additionally we are using the Smaart integration, as well as the Smaart direct transfer. The Newton meets all of our requirements, as well as having an intuitive and powerful interface giving a high level of control over the EQ and system elements, as well as comprehensive clocking features which is vital in today’s digital world.’
‘We’re delighted that 22live have placed their faith in CUK Audio, Outline and Newton,’ says CUK Audio Live & Events Sales Specialist. James Lawford. ‘The device has a phenomenal feature set which attracts interest from many companies, but the benefits to users include its very flexible design and straightforward software control. We offer full training on Newton to all our rental partners and their engineers, but often this is simply some hand holding, reassurance of operational best practice and of course some tips to get the most out of the device.’
22live Hire Director Paul Timmins was among the first in the UK rental community to recognise Newton’s potential on its launch in 2017: ‘Newton was an easy choice for us as our go-to drive processor and one of the items that we had to add to our rental stock as soon as we could,’ he says. ‘Now, well established as the industry’s leading device for that role, as it should be – its flexibility and reliability are unmatched.
‘22live in taking a very disciplined and streamlined approach to our inventory and in particular we are only investing in products in which we all have a personal belief. Newton fits that view perfectly,’ he adds.
See also: Martin Audio and 22live announce partnership
