Auditoria Magazine
  • News
      • Acoustics
      • Audio & Communications
      • Design
      • Digital & Smart Technologies
      • Displays
      • Events & Awards
      • Lighting
      • New Venues
      • Operations
      • People
      • Refurbishment
      • Retail
      • Safety & Security
      • Seating
      • Software
      • Stage Technology
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • 2024 Annual Showcase
    • 2023 Annual Showcase
    • 2022 Annual Showcase
    • 2020 VOL 2
    • 2020 VOL 1
    • 2019
    • 2018-19
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Supplier Spotlight
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to Magazine Subscribe to Email Newsletter Media Pack
Auditoria Magazine
  • News
      • Acoustics
      • Audio & Communications
      • Design
      • Digital & Smart Technologies
      • Displays
      • Events & Awards
      • Lighting
      • New Venues
      • Operations
      • People
      • Refurbishment
      • Retail
      • Safety & Security
      • Seating
      • Software
      • Stage Technology
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. 2024 Annual Showcase
    2. 2023 Annual Showcase
    3. 2022 Annual Showcase
    4. 2020 VOL 2
    5. 2020 VOL 1
    6. 2019
    7. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    In This Issue header image
    29th November 2024

    In This Issue – 2025 Annual Showcase

    Online Magazines By Izzy Kington
    Recent
    In This Issue header image

    In This Issue – 2025 Annual Showcase

    29th November 2024
    In This Issue header image

    In This Issue – 2024 Annual Showcase

    23rd November 2023

    In This Issue – 2023 Annual Showcase

    2nd December 2022
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Supplier Spotlight
Auditoria Magazine
Audio & Communications

Massive line-array system for Metallica tour

Izzy KingtonBy Izzy Kington21st June 20235 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Metallica playing in the round on the M72 World Tour
Metallica playing in the round on the M72 World Tour

Metallica recently kicked off its two-year M72 World Tour in Europe, with a production featuring in-the-round staging. Configured to immerse the entire audience in the band’s sound – at full bandwidth across a broad stereo landscape – the Meyer Sound system chosen comprises a record 288 Panther large-format linear line array loudspeakers.

The band and long-time creative director Dan Braun set about moving beyond old paradigms. Two concerts will be presented at every tour stop, with completely separate music sets for each show. The ‘snake pit’ has been relocated inside a ring-shaped stage, requiring four drum kits for Lars Ulrich to rise up as needed. Also, the sonic field has been expanded to ensure a wide stereo spread of guitars and drums at every seat and standing point in the stadium.

Metallica creative director Dan Braun
Metallica creative director Dan Braun

“I’m always concerned about making all these new ideas work at scale, but we have great partners to rely on, not the least of which is Meyer Sound,” said Braun, “So, I never let things like practicality and logistics inhibit the creative process.”

Braun took his idea for the tour sound directly to company founders John and Helen Meyer, who captured his vision and assigned Bob McCarthy, director of system optimisation, to design audio for the tour.

“I told Bob that my goal was to have full stereo sound at every point with no overlap, from the centre pit to the nosebleed seats,” Braun continued. “We wanted everybody to hear the band as if with near-field monitors, and I think we’ve come closer to that than ever before in a concert setting.”

James Hetfield of Metallica on stage during the M72 World Tour
James Hetfield of Metallica on stage during the M72 World Tour

Braun also credited the new Panther line array loudspeakers as a key component in realising the concept: “The clarity of the system is breath-taking, and that combined with Bob McCarthy’s brilliant design is giving us a show that sounds spectacular.”

Crafting the Metallica sound from FOH is Greg Price, a veteran known for his long stints not only with hard rock legends Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, but also for pop acts including The Glee Show on Tour, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, and Chicago.

Metallica FOH Greg Price at the mixing console
Metallica FOH Greg Price at the mixing console

“We’re only a few shows into the tour and so far I’m very impressed,” said Price. “I would have to say that I don’t think there is any other PA manufacturer in the world that could take on what we are trying to do on this tour.”

As for the massive Panther arrays, Price described them as “a PA system that acts like a reference monitor, like an Amie or a Bluehorn in the studio. I’m hearing things in my mixing that I always knew were there but lacked definition. Now they are right in my face, and I can work with them.”

The M72 World Tour system is deployed in three concentric rings. The outer ring arrays are suspended from eight towers, with two Panther arrays on each tower: 16 cabinets per array on the four long-side towers and 13 cabinets on the four short-side towers. Each tower also carries dual hangs of six-each 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements and one set of six VLFC very low-frequency control elements.

The system is deployed in three concentric rings
The system is deployed in three concentric rings

The inner system, suspended from a web over the stage, has eight hangs of seven-each Panther line array loudspeakers, providing stereo coverage out to 42m from centre. The ‘doughnut hole’ in the stage centre is covered by eight inward-firing UPQ-D2 narrow coverage loudspeakers, while the outer side of the ring employs 20 Ultra-X40 compact loudspeakers as front fill. Ground sub-bass is powered by eight sets of 2x 1100-LFC elements around the stage.

The entire system is connected, controlled and monitored over three Milan AVB networks. One network connects Milan directly to all 288 Panther loudspeakers via 10 Galileo Galaxy 408 and two Galileo Galaxy 816 Network Platforms using a fibre network incorporating 26 Luminex Gigacore switches. The other two networks are primary and secondary networks for signal distribution and monitoring of the remaining analogue Meyer Sound loudspeakers as well as providing redundant analogue inputs to the Panther loudspeakers. The three networks comprise 52 Luminex switches and 35 Galaxy Network Platforms. Meyer Sound’s new Nebra software platform manages all network configuration, connection and real-time system monitoring.

The in-the-round production of Metallica's M72 World Tour
Metallica has embarked on its M72 World Tour, with an in-the-round production

The M72 World Tour also employs Meyer Sound’s Spacemap Go spatial sound design and mixing tool to a limited extent. As an intro to One, the rumble and roar of a four-engine vintage bomber circles the stadium. “We had some people outside wondering if there was a real plane flying around in the stadium,” said Price. “But Metallica is a straight-ahead band and not into trickery. The focus with spatial audio for Metallica is to enhance show content, remaining true to the band’s performance.”

The M72 World Tour is supported by Clair Global, and Price gave a tip of the hat to the company’s logistical resources and depth of expertise. “We salute Clair Global for their tremendous effort in building the M72 audio systems,” he said.

Metallica’s M72 World Tour launched on 27 April and is scheduled for two European legs and two North American legs, wrapping up on 29 September 2024.

Images: Ralph Larmann

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleRobert Juliat followspots chosen for Nantong Grand Theatre
Next Article Genelec loudspeakers chosen for KKV Örebro
Izzy Kington

Izzy became editor of Auditoria magazine in 2018, having previously served as assistant editor on the title earlier in her career. She is also the editor of Business Jet Interiors International and Railway Interiors International. Over the course of a decade as a business-to-business magazine editor, Izzy has covered everything from airline catering to car safety technologies, autonomous vehicles and business aviation airports. Outside of work, Izzy loves watercolour painting, live music and travel.

Related Posts

close up of loudspeaker
Audio & Communications

Adamson’s new VGt to be debuted by StageMix at Palm Expo

29th April 20252 Mins Read
concert hall
Audio & Communications

DiGiCo consoles installed at Segerstrom Center for the Arts

28th April 20255 Mins Read
stage with audio equipment
Audio & Communications

Meyer Sound’s Panther chosen for Gallo Center for the Arts

15th April 20255 Mins Read
FREE MONTHLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the month' from auditoria-magazine.com direct to your inbox every month


Latest Posts
Musical theatre scene showing performers in white ABBA-inspired costumes surrounding a woman in pink dress sitting on a bed with heart pattern duvet.

Muriel’s Wedding the Musical brought to life with INFiLED displays

21st May 2025
large open-roof arena in urban landscape with trees

Live Nation to operate Colombian arena with Grupo Páramo

21st May 2025
Nighttime concert at outdoor amphitheatre with curved translucent roof. Large audience gathered before illuminated stage with city skyline visible behind performers.

Outdoor venue part of new design for Lincoln Center’s west side

21st May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Getting in Touch
  • Free Email Newsletters
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Stadia
© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.