Although Alcons Audio’s pro-ribbon systems have steadily established themselves as
the de-facto highest quality solutions available for cinema, home theatre and medium-
sized live events, there have been doubts in the pro audio industry that the
technology would be suitable for larger events and festivals. 2017 has seen those
“experts’ proved wrong, as the company’s latest LR28 and LR18 systems have won
many fans, including major event production company Jurlights.

“The promoters were so impressed with the LR28/LR18 system at the early
soundchecks, they booked it for 2018 on the spot,’ says Jurlights founder Jurjen “Jur’
Hesseling. This is some compliment for a system that was making one of its first live
outings – on the Main Stage of Dance Valley (aka the “Woodstock of Dance’) at
Spaarnwoude in the Netherlands.

A major presence in the European event market, the passion that Jurlights puts into
its productions is matched by Alcons’ approach to its products, so it’s perhaps
unsurprising that a close relationship has developed between the companies.

“We like the best people and the best equipment because of the talent, passion and
dedication that drives them,’ says Jur. “We put our heart and soul into production and
Alcons does the same with sound. Neither company wants to do things down to a
price, we both want our clients to go “Wow!’’

This was certainly the case at Dance Valley, where the main and delay systems
comprised 48 LR28s plus 40 BC543 cardioid subs. 60 LR18s were used for front fills,
outfills and delays, with VR12 mid-size versatile monitors and BQ211 compact, high-
output subs used for the VIP area. 57 Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controllers
powered the system.

“Historically, many people have believed that pro-ribbon technology is not suitable for
the largest events,’ says Alcons Audio co-founder Tom Back. “We designed the LR28
from the ground up, and the challenging dynamic range and SPL levels of the music
meant that Dance Valley was the ideal event where we could prove the doubters
wrong.’

The positive reaction of the Dance Valley promoters and invited sound engineers –
before the event had even taken place – certainly proved that any doubts about the
suitability of pro-ribbon systems for large productions are misplaced.

“I believe that no other system has the mid- and high-frequency handling power and
potential as the LR28,’ adds Jur. “The fact that Dance Valley was followed by the
Dutch Valley and Latin Village festivals on the same site meant we could show how
the system is a great solution for three completely different, large-scale events.’

“We liked the sound quality of the Alcons system very much,’ says Guido van den
Berk of Dance Valley, Dutch Valley and Latin Village production company The Good
Guyz.

‘The exceptional rear rejection was also very noticeable. This is a very important
feature for events in the urban areas or with many stages close together, especially as
the social debate about noise from festivals and events is becoming an increasingly
important aspect in license applications.’

Although the LR28 has been grabbing festival-sized headlines with both Jurlights and
Norwegian production company Trondheim Lyd, the LR18 pro-ribbon system is an
equally important product for both Alcons and rental companies. As well as being a
vital fill component for larger LR28 systems, it’s also an exceptional solution in its own
right for medium-sized applications.

To maximise the opportunities for events and rental companies to use the new
systems, Alcons has founded a new company, The Ribbon Network BV.

Since 2004, the informal Ribbon Network has co-operatively provided advantages like
dry hire networking, direct factory support and international marketing for rental
companies working with Alcons audio equipment, in particular, its pro-ribbon line-
array systems.

The Ribbon Network BV has formalised this arrangement, providing a framework for
Alcons to rent LR28, LR18 and BC543 systems for dry-hire support to network
members, coordinating these and other activities to ensure ample resources are
available to support Alcons’ rental and touring partners.

“The LR18 and LR28 both sound terrific, they really make people go “Wow, this is
something different,’ says Jur. “With these and their existing systems, I genuinely
believe Alcons will be ahead of the pack for the next few years.’