New York, N.Y.— Citiview AV, a full service location production company has overseen the needs of Cipriani’s and the Rainbow Room for about nine years and has had a long-standing relationship with audio installer Boulevard Pro of New Jersey. “The previous line array system in the Rainbow Room was installed about eight years ago, and with the new technology currently available, I re-approached Boulevard to recommend a new system,” states Citiview owner Steven Lichtensteiger. His requirements were that the system be smaller, well known and familiar to visiting engineers. “There were restrictions on how the system could look and where it could be flown,” says Mr. Lichtensteiger.
“Citiview AV requirements were that the system had to be powerful, light weight and small,” states James Cioffi. “Site lines were super important issues, and the speakers had to be heard and not seen. Given these goals and guide lines our choice was the NEXO GEO S line array.”
Boulevard arranged for Mr. Lichtensteiger to hear a NEXO system in lower Manhattan and he liked what he heard and saw. The recommendation for the famous room with its Art Deco style was a NEXO GEO S 8 system. The design/install team from Boulevard Pro consisted of James Cioffi, Boulevard Pro partner, Mike Marri, partner, John Orth, project manager, and John Benetti and Jamie Moran.The system includes NEXO NX242 system controllers, six NEXO GEOS805, two GEO S 830s, two NEXO CD 12 subs, four Yamaha T3n power amps, one Roland S-4000 digital snake and a 40-space Raxxess installation rack. The system is configured with three GEO S 805 elements and one GEO S 830 per side with polar focus and NEXO bumper bars on the room’s existing lighting truss. Boulevard installed NEXO CD12 subs in the existing scrim area above the stage, one per side. All NEXO system controllers and the Yamaha T3n amps are located in a remote amp room. “The Yamaha amps were a product we had never used before and they are working really well,” notes Cioffi. “They are built like tanks and sound wonderful.” A Roland digital snake with three remote Cat5e patch points is also located in the room.
“The sound quality and performance of the system work very well,” Mr. Lichtensteiger says. “It is rental friendly and easy to use. There have been many acts through the room and everyone seems pleased.”
“The coverage and sound quality are superb; this is truly a perfect audio fit,” Cioffi adds and noted that “the factory support from both Yamaha Commercial Audio and NEXO has been first class.”