Feb 2010

Arranpaul Audio Ltd. invest in HK Audio ConTour Array

Based in Poulton, just outside Blackpool, Arranpaul Audio offer professional PA hire, sales and servicing of audio, lighting and AV equipment.

Their hire operation covers a diverse base, catering from hire of equipment to bands and conferences, through to equipping and operating major touring musicals and music festivals, with current and recent clients including Roy Chubby Brown, Joe Longthorne, The Chuckle Brothers, Russell Watson and Elaine Paige.

Having identified a gap for an additional loudspeaker system to augment their inventory, primarily for use on a steady stream of work in theatres up and down the UK, HK Audio’s ConTour Array system was identified as a possible solution, and arrangements made to put a demo rig through its paces, courtesy of HK Audio’s UK Distributor, JHS & Co. Ltd.

After proving it’s credentials in Arranpaul’s warehouse, various configurations of ConTour Array were subjected to a number of real world trials, including corporate events and theatre shows with The Chuckle Brothers and Joe Longthorne and his band, shows with diverse audio requirements, demanding a system capable of delivering first rate speech intelligibility, combined with the ability to convey the dynamics of a twelve piece band.

Satisfied that ConTour Array ticked all the requisite boxes in terms of sonic performance, quality of build and ergonomics and easy transportability, Arranpaul Audio have consequently opted for an active ConTour Array system, comprising 6 x CTA208 mid-hi enclosures and 6 x CTA118 subs, which has been put straight to work on a 40+ date tour with The Chuckle Brothers.

This set-up has proved to cope comfortably with the theatre shows on which the system will initially be deployed in ground-stacked configuration, while providing scope for future expansion.

One of the advantages of HK Audio’s ConTour Series is that of flexibility, with the ConTour Array capable of being easily scaled down by reducing the number of boxes for small applications, or scaled up to full flown line array configuration, and with the CTA118 active sub capable of powering and controlling either the CTA208 line array top box, or indeed any other enclosure in HK’s ConTour Series for maximum flexibility.

‘We wanted the convenience of an active system, and HK’s ConTour Array has proved the ideal solution to fill the gap we had’ comments Arranpaul’s Paul Rogerson, with co-director Arran Culpan adding :

‘We were looking for a way to ease logistics and trim transport requirements. With ConTour Array, we can now use a 3.5 ton truck on shows where we would have previously needed a 7.5 ton truck, and have been very impressed by how such a compact, light weight and easy to use system can be so potent. Given the level of performance we’ve been achieving, the surprisingly cost effective price was an unexpected bonus too !’

Arranpaul Audio Ltd.
Tel. 01253 890590
hire@arranpaulaudio.co.uk
www.arranpaulaudio.co.uk