Specialist music venue company VMS Live recently appointed Adlib to provide a new CODA Audio system design and installation in the popular Eventim Olympia in Liverpool, UK.

The project at the 1,900 capacity auditorium was led by VMS’s MD Steve Forster and Adlib’s Andy Dockerty, who in turn enlisted experienced Adlib engineer Ian Nelson.

The major audio requirement was to provide a sonic experience to satisfy top level touring artists, with a system design flexible enough to cater for the many in-the-round scenarios – including sporting and dance events – hosted by the venue. To help achieve this, VMS invested heavily in venue infrastructure including the provision of new one ton rigging points, enabling substantial audio systems to be flown for the first time.

Having mapped and modelled the space utilising these new flying points, the Adlib team proposed a CODA LA12 system. 16 CODA LA12 line array speakers make up the two left and right hangs, and cover the main room, the front three rows of the first balcony and the upper balcony positions. For the challenging middle/rear area of the first balcony, four CODA ViRAY cabinets, two a-side in delay positions, are located at the rear of an unused royal box.

Eight CODA SC8 cardioid sensor-controlled sub-bass units are positioned to the left and right of the stage. Rigged on heavy-duty wheel boards, they can be easily redeployed to another location, giving the flexibility required for any in-the-round sporting events. A pair of CODA ViRAY speakers provide in-fills, and the entire system is driven by the CODA LINUS CON DSP platform and CODA C10 amplifiers.

A Soundcraft Vi3000 console sits at FoH, while the monitor system is made up of 12 x Adlib Audio AA MP5 wedge monitors and an Adlib AA 215 drum sub, all driven by Linea Research 44M amps. The monitor console is a Soundcraft Vi1. A full complement of touring specification microphones, DI’s and stands was also an integral part of the Adlib package.

“We are delighted to see so much commitment and energy being put into a Liverpool venue and are very proud to be a part of the team delivering it,” said Adlib’s Andy Dockerty. “We genuinely believe that this specification rivals most venues in the country with similar capacities… and look forward to some exciting shows.”

VMS operations director, Richard Maides, added: “With Adlib specifying the system we are confident that we have fulfilled our end of the bargain and have a versatile and high-quality venue production in place.”