For the past ten years RH Consulting has provided audio design and consultancy services to Lord’s Cricket Ground. Lord’s is a unique venue, steeped in history, set in the heart of St John’s Wood, London.
Faced with a very old audio system, RH Consulting created a design that could be implemented over the course of several years.
There were a number of challenging requirements. Lord’s backs on to a number of residential properties and regularly received noise complaints. In addition, the ground is not a conventional stadium ‘bowl’; every stand is a different building and therefore each requires a bespoke audio system design.
Following the completion of the new design the ground no longer gets noise complaints from neighbours about the PA system.
The system itself is nearly invisible thanks to the use of colour co-ordinated loudspeakers, each placed in discreet locations.
Using the latest networking technology, the system can be extended as required. The newly developed Warner stand had little impact on the rest of the site. It was just a question of running a couple of fibre optic cables to the new building.
The new design has achieved a 70% power saving. This not only results in electricity savings, but there are other advantages too, such as smaller and cheaper battery supplies. The reduced quantity of batteries produces less environmentally unfriendly waste. Some rack areas no longer require air conditioning; previously that was expensive maintenance requirement.
The new system is fully compliant with the latest voice alarm standards and both we and the ground enjoy a close relationship with Westminster council to ensure that the safety standards are maintained.
During the last few years a new form of Cricket match has become more popular. The T20 match is short, snappy and brings in a younger crowd. Supporting this audience is a DJ who usually brings in an additional PA system. Lord’s is the only Cricket ground in the world that does not require a supplementary rental PA system for T20 matches.
In addition to offering design services, we have given Lord’s advice on all their audio requirements. This has ranged from audio for disability, temporary audio systems, liaising with broadcasters, training and budgeting.
For ten years we have been Marylebone Cricket Club’s sole provider of audio advice.
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Roland Hemming has worked in professional audio for 30 years. He has managed the two largest audio projects in Europe – the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Millennium Dome. He has worked in live events, construction sites, hotels, rail, cruise ships, theatre, corporate AV, broadcast, education and stadia. He designs systems and provides product development and compliance advice to a variety of manufacturers.
He frequently advises manufacturers on next generation audio products.
For the Olympic Games he was Venue Technology Manager for Audio, working for LOCOG, the London Organising Committee. He was responsible for all Games audio except Ceremonies. This included the delivery of over 400 audio systems, liaising with and giving advice to many interested parties on issues as diverse as rigging, broadcast, radio spectrum, audio for crowd safety, disability and compliance.
LARGE SCALE PROJECT MANAGEMENT, PRODUCTS, IDEAS AND INSIGHT
Principal consultant Richard Northwood has over three decades experience designing, building, commissioning and operating audio, video and lighting systems.
His work covers a wide range of projects from stadium audio to corporate video conferencing suites to interactive visitor attractions.
He designs superior audio systems, producing acoustic models using EASE, providing detailed system schematics and all the information required to execute a project.
His worldwide reputation has established him as someone who will make things work when others cannot. He commissions and troubleshoots AV and audio systems and has a formidable reputation for being able to deal with the most technically complex projects.
He is leader in the use of networked audio and control systems, and is an expert in the use of most digital signal processing systems.
Richard is Level 3 Dante Certified.
DEEP TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXCEPTIONAL ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Drawing from a strong history in live sound engineering and music production, Will utilises his mechanical mind to ensure that clients achieve the most from their audio systems, applying a meticulous lens to every step of the process from specification to engineering.
Will’s involvement in the industry has taken him to an array of established events and venues across the country as an experienced audio engineer and often assuming a technical project management role. His extensive knowledge and strong interpersonal skills allow him to bridge the information gap with clients, to best understand their needs and ensure feedback is implemented for optimum results.