Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics world tour successfully completed its India leg in February, employing a KSL PA system from d&b audiotechnik’s SL-Series to address the need of a lightweight, flexible system with no compromise in sound quality.
The d&b KSL system was supplied for Sheeran by Mumbai-based NJSM ProSound.
To ensure a smooth and successful delivery of the system design and supply, with all the logistical challenges inherent in a tour across the vast sub-continent, NJSM ProSound’s team worked closely with d&b India’s EAS (education & application support) representative, Neil Lean.
Shows for this leg were presented in end-on format which was chosen to minimise deployment challenges to cater to tight setup schedules.
d&b’s KSL was chosen because the production needed a top-tier system which would be available in enough cities to allow it to leap-frog a touring PA, while supplementing the inventory with local supplies where required. It was also selected for KSL’s cardioid performance and unequalled full bandwidth directivity which delivers consistent, controlled, high quality sound for each venue, from the stage itself all the way to the ends of the audience areas.
The system design featured main hangs of KSL8/KSL12 (16 cabinets per side), accompanied by 10 flown SL-Subs per side, plus 24 ground-stacked SL-GSubs in end-fire configuration. These were complemented by d&b’s V8 and V12 cabinets as front-fills, with delays provided by KSL, XSL and V-Series cabinets, depending on the specific needs of each venue.
Lean commented: “The SL-Series’ cardioid pattern allowed us to open up the body of the system with no worries about feedback from the small body guitars Ed was using on stage. The best way to judge a touring PA is by how consistently it can deliver, show after show, and this system performed flawlessly throughout the tour. The production teams, including the representatives of AEG and its India partner, BookMyShow, were very happy with the quality the system delivered, and we had great comments on social media about how good the audio was in every city we visited.”
Ed Sheeran’s touring sound team — Simon Kemp at FOH and systems engineer Adam Wells — echoed the positive feedback. Warren D’Souza of NJSM ProSound concluded: “We delivered outstanding results, and it's incredibly rewarding to have Simon and Adam share that sentiment.”