Almoe buys MLA
Published: MEA
UAE: Dubai-based rental house, Almoe AV Rentals/Productions, has become the first company in the UAE to purchase a Martin Audio MLA (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array) system. The deal was made through the manufacturer’s local distributor VTi.
The initial order was for 36 MLA and 12 MLX enclosures, and comes as part of a larger inventory investment for the firm.
‘It was an easy decision to opt for the MLA after we had heard the system, its capabilities and the technology that adapts to the ever changing environment,’ stated Almoe general manager, Glen Dougherty. ‘Our decision was entirely based on the quality of the system and its future proof capabilities. Our growing business, and the increasing size of events we are called on to service, also required us to look for a larger PA system to cater that requirement.’
The system has already been put to use, with its debut outing at the Quality Awards Ceremony, held recently at the Madinat Arena. ‘We used eight MLA per side and the system came out with flying colours,’ reported Mr Dougherty.
‘Every event becomes unique as the MLA can adjust its parameters to cover uniformly the whole audience area with incredible precision,’ added Almoe senior sound engineer, Bruno Vitanza. ‘Other advantages of MLA are its capability of avoiding areas like reflective surfaces or stage, and minimising spillage in complicated venues. My preference is first to make the MLA behave as a regular Line Array (using Snapshot A) to bypass all the ‘magic’; then return to the optimised Snapshot. The difference is pretty incredible!’
Almoe already has an extensive inventory of the manufacturer’s speakers and this purchase is likely to be followed by greater investment. ‘We have gradually been increasing our Martin Audio inventory,’ confirmed Mr Dougherty. ‘And as demand grows, and the necessity arises, we also expect to purchase more of the MLA components.’
‘We are extremely pleased that Almoe is again putting its trust in Martin Audio,’ noted Martin Audio international account manager, Andy Weingärtner. ‘The purchase of this MLA rig in the UAE region fills an important strategic gap in between our Asian and European MLA users. And with more and more artists and sound engineers putting MLA on their riders this move by Almoe could not have come at a better time.’
While Almoe has become the first company to own MLA in the UAE, the system has proven itself on many high-profile events in the country over the last few years. It has been used to combat the challenging acoustics of the du Forum in Abu Dhabi on several occasions, notably its first use in the region for the Jacksons and a series of demonstrations in December 2012. Most recently it was put to use on this year’s Dubai Jazz Festival.