MLA selected for main stage at Rock in Japan
Published: ASIA
JAPAN: Martin Audio’s MLA system was recently deployed for the largest of the six stages at the prestigious Rock In Japan festival, which takes place each year at the Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka, drawing an estimated 60,000 spectators daily. The system was provided by MSI Japan.
The system was used on the Grass Stage at the festival, which became an annual event in 2000. Since then the event has grown and it now takes place over three days, with more than 100 leading bands and artists performing on its six stages. Among those taking to the Grass Stage were Princess Princess, Yuki, KREVA, Perfume, Spitz, The Hiatus and Acidman.
MSI Japan has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the event, delivering the MLA system’s Japanese debut last year when it used the system on the smaller Lake Stage. Such was the success of that debut that MSI president Shuzo Fujii promoted MLA to the main stage for 2012.
The principle challenge for MSI Japan was reportedly covering a 200m audience area without a delay tower. Providing the solution were 19 MLA elements per side plus one MLD per side, with low frequency extension via two hangs of six MLX subs and a further 11 on stage.
‘The beauty of MLA was that it maintained its consistency right across the 200m throw distance,’ enthused Osamu 'Sam' Yamashita from Audiobrains, Martin Audio’s Japanese distributor. ‘At 300m there is a parking lot and the system was optimised so that the sound could hardly be heard at all from there.’