Further bolstering the vocal system were an additional eight Aero 12A self-powered, 2-way modules positioned over the center of the stage and flown at a height of 36 feet.
From the ground, plenty of low-end was supplied by 64 D.A.S. LX-218 subwoofers, each incorporating dual 18-inch long excursion, neodymium transducers in a front-loaded, bass-reflex configuration.
These were divided at 32 per side, driven by Lab.gruppen FP13000 amplifiers.
The deep and wide coverage area also dictated support from four delay towers, spread approximately equidistant at a distance of about 150 feet from the stage.
Two of these towers, immediately behind the centrally located house mix position, each offered 16 D.A.S. Aero 38 self-powered modules.
The other two towers, split out to the sides, offered 8-box Aero 38 arrays, driven by Crest Audio amplifiers. All of the delay loudspeakers were also included in the Lake DSP control and processing network.
Stage monitoring was headed by a Yamaha PM5D console for several mixes to 10 D.A.S. SML12A 12-inch self-powered (biamped) monitor wedges distributed around the stage. Additional monitoring gear as well as microphones travel with the band.
Veteran engineer Andy Meyer chose an Avid VENUE D-Show console for his front of house mix.
“It’s a big band – three guitars, two keyboards, bass, drums and vocals – and that means not just plenty of inputs, but lots of challenges in terms of just getting everything to sit right in the mix,” Meyer explains.
“Setting up different panning and EQ settings in scenes throughout the course of a song allows me to create different imaging and tonality for greater impact,” he continues.
“It makes the vocals and solos stand out to really create a better mix.”
The snapshot automation of VENUE is also a big plus, with Meyer noting he has close to 240 scenes throughout an average show. In fact, he connected a footswitch to advance through scenes.
“It works great for freeing up my hands, although I realized after the show that I was standing on one leg for three hours.”