New agreement will see Delta Live conduct significant upgrades to the venue’s audio systems
Award-winning audiovisual solutions specialist Delta Live has renewed its partnership with the iconic Roundhouse in Camden to be its exclusive audio solutions supplier. The new agreement will see Delta Live implement significant updates to the venue’s audio systems to include new flown PA side fills, plus updated PA ground fills and brand new mixing desks.
The company specialises in sound design, broadcast, events, and communications solutions across a range of industries from live concerts to corporate events, and has worked on productions for London Fashion Week, the recent VE Day celebrations in London, and has a two-decade partnership with the BBC Proms.
Its relationship with the Roundhouse goes back to 2019, when it won the tender to become the venue’s official audio supplier. “Up to that point they had rolling contracts with their previous suppliers, so this was their first full tender process,” recalls Dan Lund, Delta Live’s Roundhouse venue manager. “After winning the tender, we had a turnaround of just two weeks to find all of the equipment, engineers, and learn the upcoming shows so we could tailor bespoke solutions for them. So we’ve developed a really strong relationship with the Roundhouse from the beginning.”
The initial agreement came up for renewal earlier this year, triggering another tender process due to the Roundhouse’s status as a charity. The scope of the tender was for an in-house audio partner to provide a PA system and control package to manage all the venue’s incoming gigs and corporate events.
“Although it’s still a challenging experience, the tender’s scope essentially encapsulated the partnership we’ve developed with the Roundhouse over the past six years,” says Lund. “But we wanted to go deeper than just providing the kit: we pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our partners, and that’s exactly what we’re building together with the Roundhouse to help them achieve their goals and meaningfully enhance the user and audience experience of this prestigious venue.”
Delta Live has put a meticulous focus on flexibility for the systems redesign. The desk upgrade will see two Digico Quantum 326 digital mixing consoles installed from which the team will be able to run the majority of shows, reducing the need for additional consoles to be brought in for specific events. “The desks are the same physical size as we currently have, but vastly more powerful. They will give us the ability to manage almost all types of events which is a huge benefit given the variety of shows coming into the venue.”
Another key part of the upgrade is a new A-Series ground package from L-Acoustics, a medium throw speaker system which Lund says is a natural upgrade on the previous version and is already in use on all shows. In addition, flown side fill monitors are now permanently in place which allow artists to hear a general mix on stage while improving sight lines for the audience so they are able to see more of each performance; a specific request from the Roundhouse due to its unique design and flexible staging arrangements.
For the Roundhouse, the renewal of the agreement with Delta Live is a natural evolution of a burgeoning partnership. “Our relationship is based on a mutual passion for innovation and creating unforgettable experiences for artists and audiences alike,” states Craig Tye, head of technical and production at the Roundhouse. “We’re excited to continue our journey with Delta Live, and the new audio technology coming into the venue will enable the Roundhouse to further enhance its heritage as one of the country’s leading venues.”
The full upgrade of the systems will continue over the next six months and will include an overhaul of digital infrastructure, including rack infrastructure, SD racks and new bit cards. Also new are improved PA boxes, L-Acoustic enhancements, and a new mic package that will include the Shure Axient wireless mics.
The agreement covers a period of three years with an option to extend for a further two.