In May each year the whole of Holland takes to the streets and parks to celebrate two consecutive weekend festivals.

Following hard on the heels of Queen’s Day (when the current monarch, Queen Beatrix, visits various towns) is Liberty Day (commemorating the country’s liberation from German occupation during the Second World War).

Decilux, the rental division of Holland Audio Import (QSC’s Netherlands distributors) were one of many companies out in force during this extended national holiday, providing WideLine PA for the Free2Dance stage at the Bevrijdings Festival in Zwolle’s Weezenlande Park (a popular location for dance festivals).

Decilux rigged eight WideLine units per side (plus their own subs), each powered by a pair of PowerLight PL6.0 and PL230 (along with a Basis 922AZ unit to handle control, monitoring and processing).

Promoted by Niek van der Sprong Culturele Producties, the event brought together several discerning FOH sound engineers — including Binnert Blom and Jan Steenbeeke, assisted by Luuk Sanderink. All remarked on the incredible amount of power residing in a system of this size, in particular Blom, who is attached to the Dutch audio rental company Decilux in Hengelo.

“When Decilux first invested in a QSC WideLine Array it provided me with exactly the kind of tool that a sound engineer with spoiled ears and a long career would want to work with.”

Good sound systems should be able to provide clarity and definition even at high level, as well as remain pleasant to listen to, he says. “But QSC’s WideLine takes this a step further. I am really impressed by the way sound quality, sound pressure and weight are combined in this easy-to-handle line array.”

As a freelance sound engineer Binnert has the opportunity to compare a wide variety of proprietary line arrays. “Systems using horn-loaded compression drivers are too rocky for my taste but the WideLine array can compete, in terms of clarity, with ribbon driver-loaded systems. While other arrays require a lot of time and effort to rig and adjust to the location specifications, QSC is easy to handle, with fewer people in less time.

“Another advantage is the wide 140° angle dispersion of the system, which makes it possible to place sound sources three-dimensionally, in such a way that the entire audience, even at the extremes, receive their audio loud and clear.

“At Free2Dance we had the opportunity to test the system to its limits, and it was real fun to work with.”

Among the top DJ’s appearing were Cuzco (whjo also appeared with the band Residanz, Joshua Kayn, Brian S, Don Diablo, MC Vika Kova (who also appeared with SMF), Erick E, and Laidback Luke.