Ref: Caroline Moss PR0601
Date: April 2007

GEORGE BENSON AND AL JARREAU LAUNCH NEW ICC DURBAN ARENA WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MIDAS AND KLARK TEKNIK

The Durban International Conference Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has celebrated its 10th anniversary with the launch of the new ICC Durban Arena – a sub-divisible 32,000 square meters space that will be used for show space and exhibitions. Midas consoles and Klark Teknik signal processing equipment were used extensively for the new venue’s launch, supplied by South African distributor Prosound Pty, which was contracted to provide the audio and production management for the event including overseeing the design and set-up of the audio system.

The opening of the arena coincided with George Benson and Al Jarreau’s South African leg of their Giving It Up tour, so it was decided to host the Durban show at the new venue as part of the opening ceremony. The launch also featured a specialty show, The Power of Durban, devised and produced by Durban ICC’s technical production manager John Bevan. This featured a host of local artist including Malaika and the Afro Tenors.

Separate FOH and monitor set-ups were used for each show. For the George Benson and Al Jarreau show, 56 channel Midas Heritage 3000s were used for both front of house and stage monitoring. For FOH processing Klark Teknik DN514 Plus multi gates, DN504 Plus quad compressors and Square ONE Dynamics were used, with all stage EQ provided by Klark Teknik DN360 and DN370 graphic EQs. Extensive use was also made of Klark Teknik DN100 DI boxes on stage.

For The Power of Durban a 56 channel Midas Legend 3000 console was at front of house with a Midas Venice 32 channel as sub-mixer, and a Midas Verona for monitors. A host of Klark Teknik equipment was used for processing, including DN514 Plus gates, DN500 Plus dual compressor/limiter/expanders and DN504 Plus compressors, DN6000 analyser, Square ONE Dynamics and Helix DN9340E dual EQ and DN3600 digital EQs.

“Feedback from George Benson and Al Jarreau’s sound engineer was very good, and extremely complimentary with regards to audio set-up, specifically with working on internationally recognised products such as Klark Teknik and Midas, thus making his job a lot easier,” says Donovan Calvert, technical manager of Prosound. “With this being the first large-scale event in the new venue, from a technical point of view everything simply had to run smoothly, and using the KT and Midas gear took a lot of the pressure off the team as they knew that things would simply work. A positive response was received from the organisers and the venue, with a show that sounded absolutely great.”

Photo caption: Midas H3000 FOH at George Benson/Al Jarreau, ICC Durban Arena

Photo caption: George Benson and Al Jarreau at ICC Durban Arena

ENDS

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Editor’s information:
Klark Teknik was founded in 1974 and in the years immediately following, their innovative approach to design and development allowed them to introduce some truly groundbreaking designs. Klark Teknik was responsible for the world’s first digital delay and digital reverb units, however it was their concepts for equalisation devices that really changed the world of professional audio resulting in the DN370 and the famous DN360. Today Klark Teknik continues to bring innovation in design and dedication to engineering and sonic quality in both the analogue and digital realm of signal processing, with the Square ONE and Show Command ranges updating the brand.

Midas live performance mixing consoles have been used by the world's most demanding sound engineers, performers and rental companies for three decades. The company strives to raise the standards of sonic quality through its programme of continual research and development, implementing new control functionality and user-friendly desk operation to anticipate and accommodate the ever-evolving needs of audio professionals who specify Midas consoles for their major tours, festivals, international events, broadcast projects and prestigious fixed installations.

 

The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal 2006, some 260,000 associates generated sales of 43.7 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering,” the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of some 300 subsidiaries and more than 13,000 Bosch service centers in over 140 countries.

The special ownership structure of the Bosch Group guarantees its financial independence and entrepreneurial freedom. It makes it possible for the company to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future, as well as to do justice to its social responsibility in a manner reflective of the spirit and will of its founder. A total of 92 % of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by the charitable foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.