Tight rigging and weight limits at multiple venues
Hard-to-reach balcony areas out of the main PA's line of sight
Slower attack times and muddy high-end from standard horn-loaded alternatives
The pressure to replicate studio-album quality in live, acoustically unpredictable environments
Level 42, United Kingdom
The World Machine powered by Electro-Voice and Dynacord for Level 42’s big anniversary tour
World Tour
Electro-Voice
Dynacord
Level 42, United Kingdom
The World Machine powered by Electro-Voice and Dynacord for Level 42’s big anniversary tour
World Tour
Electro-Voice
Dynacord
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- Location
- United Kingdom
- Install partner
- Safe Hands Audio
- Product highlights
- Electro-Voice X2 Line Array + Dynacord TGX20 Amplifiers
The venue
A 32-venue UK tour with restrictive weight limits
The Level 42 40th anniversary tour for their breakthrough album, The World Machine, spanned 32 different venues across the UK. Many of these traditional spaces lacked heavy-duty weight loading points, restricting the size and weight of the audio gear that could be flown safely. Additionally, several venues featured challenging architectural layouts, such as deep balconies that blocked the main PA coverage.
“The X2 line array is compact and easy to fly, because a lot of these venues don't have good weight loading on the points. It's great to put it up, you can still get a good hang on a lightweight point.”
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Mark ClementsFOH Engineer, Level 42
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The challenge
Demanding acoustics, tricky sightlines, and strict venue limits
Touring a legendary band across dozens of unique spaces meant fighting inconsistent room acoustics every night. Standard horn-loaded or folded horn speakers lacked the fast attack and high-end clarity needed for Level 42's dynamic sound.
Specific venue layouts also created dead zones, particularly in upper balconies where the main line arrays couldn't reach, threatening to give some audience members an inferior experience. The audio team needed a high-performance system that was lightweight enough for strict venue rigging limits, quick to deploy, and adaptable to erratic room footprints.
The solution
A scalable EV line array powered by Dynacord TGX DSP amplifiers
Safe Hands Audio deployed a highly flexible Electro-Voice X2 line-array system paired with Dynacord TGX20 amplifiers. The system was scaled per room (either 12 or 9 X2 elements per side) and paired with X12-128 subwoofers in a cardioid configuration to keep low-end punch tight and controlled.
To solve the balcony coverage issue, they utilized portable EVOLVE 90 column systems as fills. The entire ecosystem was mapped, monitored, and tuned daily using Dynacord’s SONICUE Sound System Software.
- Electro-Voice X2-212 loudspeakers: High-end clarity with fast attack via Pin Diffraction Hydra technology
- X12-128 subwoofers: Run in cardioid configuration for clean, directional low-end punch
- EVOLVE 90 column systems: Used as dedicated balcony fills for full-range coverage in dead zones
- Dynacord TGX20 amplifiers: 20 kW of tour-grade power with 96 kHz DSP resolution per amp
- SONICUE Sound System Software: For rapid system setup, tuning, and real-time monitoring
“I just don’t think any other smaller PA has the high-end clarity that the X2 have. Vocally, it’s in your face and it sounds really nice... With the X2, the attack is very fast, even though it's a large driver.”
Mark ClementsFOH Engineer, Level 42
The result
Studio-quality sound and rave fan reviews across the UK
The tour achieved seamless, rapid daily setup and teardown despite the structural limitations of the older venues. Audio coverage was perfectly uniform from the front row to the back of the highest balconies, ensuring every ticket holder had an identical acoustic experience. Fans and the band alike praised the pristine clarity, with many noting it was the best live audio they had ever experienced.
Seamless, lightweight rigging in restrictive venues
Uniform, full-range coverage across all seating areas and balconies
Crystal-clear vocal presence and ultra-fast transient response
Studio-record accuracy delivered in a live touring environment
“Mark King gets feedback from fans after every gig and he has been sharing emails from people saying that the sound was amazing and the best they have heard... The reports he’s getting is it sounds just like the record and that is exactly what we’re going for.”
Mark Clements, FOH Engineer for Level 42
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For integrators & consultants
Start with a system design
Send your floor plan or project brief and get a tailored system recommendation, including key components, coverage guidance.
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