RH DEBUT AT MOLDE JAZZ FESTIVAL

By Daniel Diver

The Molde Jazz Festival in late July, now in its 43rd year therefore one of Europe's longest-running jaz festivals, saw a unique Renkus-Heinz double bill with the appearance of both models of its new line array systems.

Molde, a town of 20.000 people in one of Norway's most beautiful regions, has hosted many great names in the past. This year's headliners were no exception: Stevie Wonder, Branford Marsalis and Ladysmith Black Mambazo in addition to a number of well-known Scandinavian artists like guitarist Terje Rypdal and trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg. The fact that the small town's population swells to a masive 70.000 during this week is a clear indication of its importance and popularity.

The festival is unique in that it possesses its own production company - Molde Forum - which was formed 14 years ago and today operates as a full-time rental/production company as well as servicing the festival. The company recently purchased a Renkus-Heinz PN102/LA self--powered, compact line array system, which was used for the festival's 900-seat Concert Hall venue and several outdoor performances. A larger STLA/9 high power line array served the event's main 10.000 capacity open air amphitheatre located at the local folk museum. This hosted the Stevie Wonder concert and pop/techno/rap line-up on the festival's last day.

The sound system comprised 10 STLA/9 self-powered line array modules each side and a total of 10 self-powered DR18-2 dual 18-inch subwoofers, all controlled by XTA processors. The stage was fixed on a Midas Heritage 4000 with FOH handled on an H3000.

"The STLA/9, as well as being very powerful, is easy to fly and to steer because of its 90º horizontal coverage," comments general manager Jo Tore Baeverfjord. "It proved its versatility with the huge range of artists we had at the festival."

"We've used Renkus-Heinz systems since 1991, from the birth of Molde Forum," he explains, "and when we heard their line arrays we knew that they were what we wanted both for Molde Jazz and the other work we do all year round on classical, pop/rock and corporate shows." The systems went on to another round of summer festivals including country rock festivals headlined by The Dubliners, country superstars Tanya Tucker and Marty Stuart, and several gigs of the Norwegian Idol Concert Tour.

One of the most challenging productions for the STLA/9 system took place in the Archbishop's Courtyard next to the beautiful Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. A specially written opera was performed to accolades from both the audience and the press. One reporter (Hroar Klempe of Adresseavisen) referred to the sound system as a "musical instrument" masterly "played by" sound engineer Torkild Madsen in way that enhanced and brought out all the musical nuances in the performance.

Molde Forum's self-powered PN102/LA line array system, meanwhile, consists of 16 PN102/LAs and eight DRS18-2 subs. "It's a special system too," says Baeverfjord. "Very small and easy to handle, but the 150º coverage means you can usually address an entire audience without requiring sidefills. We also use it as a club system with just four a side stacked on the subs, almost as you would configure a conventional system, which is ironic because we've used them to replace our previous Meyer MSL3/650 system."

"It's staggering how far loudspeaker design has advanced in recent years. This system handles any programming we expose it to - from rock to classical - with all the clarity and punch you would ever want."