London's Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK’s most treasured buildings, recognisable the world over. It is a registered charity and operates without any public subsidy.  Since opening in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall has had an unparalleled history of exceptional performances by the world’s leading artists. Today over 350 events are held in the Hall’s auditorium each year which include performances of classical music, jazz, world music, circus, rock and pop, dance, opera, comedy, tennis, film premières and award ceremonies. Audiences of well over a million are entertained at the Hall each year and many millions more around the world enjoy the Hall experience through broadcasts, recordings and new media channels.

Sound By Design has had a very successful relationship with the Royal Albert Hall for the past 15 years and has recently completed a £100k refurbishment of its in-house PA system within the main auditorium.

The original Meyer Sound MSL-2A/ UPA-1C based centre cluster (shown bottom left) has been replaced with a new system comprising Meyer Sound M-Series curvilinear array cabinets managed by a Meyer Sound Galileo 616 loudspeaker management processor.

The new system comprises three hangs of M-Series cabinets, the centre hang being formed of 10 M2D full-range boxes, with two outer hangs formed of 10 each of the smaller M1D. Each hang has a matched sub-bass enclosure included at the top, for better low-frequency response in the circle and boxes. Each M2D and small groups of M1D are individually fed from a custom-built mains distribution unit in the roof with electrical earth and current protection on each, giving high levels of protection and fault tolerance.

This design collaboration between Principal Engineer Phil Wright and Systems Engineer Dave Shepherd will be available in several configurations to suit different show requirements. Shows which would have previously used the MSL-2 system will be offered a speech/ light music configuration, supplemented by the existing ground-based sub-woofers and front/ side-fill cabinets, while heavier weight shows will be offered the flown system un-restricted, with up-rated front-fills and new Meyer Sound 700-HP subs under the stage. System engineers can configure the system using the Galileo via a wireless network, which Sound By Design have installed in the auditorium.