USA - The Vine Theatre, a 1,600-seat live performance venue located within the Del Lago Resort and Casino, has upgraded its concert system to a completely installed 1 Sound system.
The decision to upgrade the audio system came in response to ongoing concerns regarding sound quality, system reliability, and the deteriorating condition of the previous self-powered line array system. Tom Knauss, principal consultant at NV5 Consultants, was brought in to review the current system and provide recommendations.
"The existing system had reached a point where many components were beyond repair, and the overall sound quality was suffering," said Knauss. “We initially received three rider-friendly proposals generally based on the replacement of the existing line array system with new line array components.”
Within NV5’s review of the three proposals, in addition to these options and based upon the success of several recent proscenium theatre upgrade projects, NV5 advised Del Lago of the potential for considering an alternate design approach. The alternate approach would be based on a digitally modelled, multi-channel, point source arrays.
“A properly designed and implemented point source system can significantly decrease the quantity of loudspeaker devices without degrading performance. Properly implemented, a point source approach can lead to decreased system costs, diminished aesthetic impact, and more importantly, a dramatically improved sound experience to the audience,” said Knauss.
Intrigued by the "alternate" approach, Del Lago management requested an on-site demonstration of a point source solution from 1 Sound.
1 Sound's founder and designer, Lou Mannarino, conducted the on-site demonstration based on a preliminary digital model utilising multiple full-range point source devices and carefully located subwoofer devices.
“The Vine's physical dimensions presented unusual challenges as it is nearly 100ft tall and only 100 deep. Our approach with Tom was to design with point sources instead of a line array because of the width and depth of the space.” said Mannarino. Using just a left and right stack of a SUB2112 with a Contour CT212 on top, the demonstration system immediately outperformed the existing system.
“I was immediately blown away and floored by what I was hearing out of what little speakers were in the room,” said Mike Richards, front of house engineer at The Vine. “We wanted new technology that would cover our room and give us the sound pressure levels we needed for the concerts we are doing. 1 Sound fits that bill perfectly.”
Anthem Productions, a 1 Sound dealer and integrator was awarded the contract to complete the full installation of the system. The full system included left, centre, right, under balcony, over balcony, stage-fills speakers as well as stage wedges, drum-fills, etc.
The visible PA as the main left and right were two Contour CT212s mounted on either side with their dedicated wall bracket.
Four CSUB610s were placed in front of the stage and five SUB2112s were flown by truss providing impactful lower frequency needed for the venue. “The SUB2112s in the theatre go down deeper than other subwoofers I have mixed on. They reach out and grab you,” stated Richards.
For the mezzanine two more CT212s were flown per side. For the under balcony fills, 10 of 1 Sound’s brand new Level L38 loudspeakers were flush-mounted to the ceiling standing only 8 inches off of the ceiling.
"The clarity and coverage provided by the 1 Sound system is astounding," said Richards. “I am already used to the fidelity I have at the theatre. I actively mix on other premium systems and line arrays in different applications. They do the job but it does not have the same sound and fidelity of 1 Sound.”
