A pair of 802 Diamonds in Rosenut, the latest version of this remarkable loudspeaker, was on the stage this year. Also amplification by Classé, a CP-800 stereo pre-amplifier/processor and a CA-2300 (300 Watts/channel) stereo amplifier. Classé is a wholly owned B&W subsidiary company based in Montréal, Canada. They are known for the sound quality and attention to detail of their products - a true high-end brand of electronics.
For at least eighteen years, the main sound system at the Torbay Musical Weekend was supplied, transported and operated by the late David Inman. Very sadly, David’s health forced him to take a less active part and Larry Napthine assumed responsibility. This year, the production team has grown. Larry is joined by Mike Price, whose years with BBC World Service and other enterprises bring expertise to be envied, and by Paul Whittle, chairman of Epsom RMS and its technical and general mainstay. Welcome both.
Advances in technology and presenters’ requirements have made the technical production of the Weekend easier and more complex respectively. It is our aim to provide a ‘seamless’ experience. Having achieved this on occasion, the audience now expect it every time. No pressure!
Given the presenters’ co-operation, a CDR (recordable) disc, containing all the material in the right order and with fades or effects already in place, will be compiled for each performance well before the weekend. In extremis, such as the original material not being available until it arrives at the Palace, a disc can be produced on our laptop on site, time permitting. By this means we avoid shuffling the original discs about during the performance, reducing errors and smoothing the delivery. This process is not possible with DVDs but prior knowledge of each disc’s menu system is invaluable.
We use Sony Super Audio CD / DVD equipment to play the CDRs. DVD playback is by a Sony Blu-ray player (High Definition if using a Blu-ray disc or upscaling of standard DVDs). This feeds the video signal to an Optoma digital (DLP) projector (HDMI 1080p) and the sound to the main music system. A TV monitor is used for cueing. We have duplicates of all our own source equipment but no means of backing up the main system provided by B&W. If that ever failed it would go very quiet.
Presenters requiring audio-visual facilities are generally asked to use their own laptop and program, with our projector, for the visual part of their presentation, but staying with CD for the sound. This is in the interest of quality and to simplify the operation. We have encountered problems using the sound direct from laptops. With zero technical rehearsal time for these sessions, as many ‘unknowns’ as possible need to be eliminated.
For as long as we, and he, can remember, the microphone system has been controlled by John Walker, using our own ‘front end’ and the Palace Hotel’s curious PA installation. In recent years we have invested in a new Mackie microphone mixing desk, a fresh set of cables and wireless lapel microphones by Sennheiser. The hand-held / static mike is by Shure and the stand mikes by Audio Technica.
TORBAY MUSICAL WEEKEND
BOWERS AND WILKINS
We are again fortunate to have the immense help from Bowers and Wilkins (B&W) which has become a feature of these weekends and are, as ever, very greatly indebted to the Company and to Karen Watts (UK Marketing Manager) for making their equipment available to us, once more showing their commitment to music and to music- lovers.
After the Second World War, John Bowers and Roy Wilkins opened a store in Worthing, Sussex, selling and servicing audio products. John’s quest for perfection led to designing the equipment himself and he began producing his own loudspeakers at the back of the store. Business continued to prosper and, in 1966, John formed B&W Electronics Ltd with Peter Hayward and the design and production of loudspeakers was moved to Meadow Road, Worthing.
Since then, B&W has expanded many times over and is now a truly global company with distribution in over 70 countries. By 2002, they were using 5 different sites in Worthing, so the new purpose-built Dale Road facility was opened. This site now incorporates the production of all of the company’s flagship products, with processes that include drive unit manufacture, the massive wood bending rig’s necessary to produce the cabinets, with final product assembly and testing of the award winning 800 Series. It also houses logistics, international distribution and the UK Sales office.
Formed to offer products for the ‘iPod generation’, 2006 saw the creation of the brand’s New Media division and the company now offers a range of iPod docking stations, headphones and multi-media speakers. Production of the entry-level and mid-priced ranges of loudspeakers was moved to China to enable the brand to continue competing on a global scale. These plants are run by B&W staff, ensuring that product quality and performance remain consistent with the company’s premium credentials.
B&W - Bowers & Wilkins - Listen and you’ll see
Loudspeakers from £300 to £55,000
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