Martin Audio W8LC for Pistoia Blues 2004

Italy has enjoyed an active summer with Martin Audio line array systems, including two of the major summer events — Gods of Metal at Bologna’s Made in Bo – Arena Parco Nord, and Pistoia Blues, the most famous blues festival in the country. This year (more than any other) Audiosales, the Martin Audio distributor, has consolidated itself as the leader in the live concert arena. “It is showing that the commercial policy, professional attitude and service given to our customers is really paying off,” says Audiosales operations manager, Mauro Codeluppi. He says Audiosales has been assisted greatly by Martin Audio, and the introduction of their Line Array series. “It has helped our customers meet modern production requirements,” he says. He paid tribute in particular to the W8LM (Mini Line Array). “I remember how well this was received by the audio industry at its first showing — at PLASA last year. “This seemed the natural development for our many customers who until then had been using the traditional W8 system.” He explained that the W8LM had given rental companies the opportunity to win jobs which would otherwise have gone to other firms. For example, Genova-based Planet Service employed the W8LM at shows by Pat Metheny Trio, BB King, Michael Bublé, David Byrne and Giorgia, fielding 24 x W8LM enclosures and six Blackline S218 subs in systems driven by Lab Gruppen amps and XTA processors. At Pistoia Blues in Tuscany, Procopio Nicola also fielded 16 x W8LM, in conjunction with 12 x W8LC and 12 x WSX subs for artists such as Buddy Guy, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Robert Fripp, Steve Winwood, John Mayall, Richard Johnson and Carlos Santana. “Of course we shouldn’t forget the original W8L — the biggest of Martin’s Line Array family,” says Mauro. This was used by Fumasoli (Aosta) during the touring Free Music Festival in Milan, Turin and Naples, where the crowd always reached around 60.000 and the PA inventory consisted of 28 x W8L and 12 WLX. Some of the artists performing included Stereophonics, Alicia Keys, Susan Vega, Sting, Carlos Santana and Pino Daniele. Renato Fumasoli’s company also flew 28 x W8L alongside 12 x W8LS, with four W3’s (for front stage) for the aforementioned Gods of Metal festival in Bologna. Martin’s classic LE12JB floor monitor was also fielded by Fumasoli — but only on the first day. A heavy storm tore the cover off the main stage and a ton of water flooded the stage drenching the LE12JB’s, which had to be replaced — although the four Martin WSX’s used as sidefills survived.