Recording

Supported By

Danley Delivers Clarity & Punch At Alabama’s Iron City Live Music Venue

Synergy Horn loudspeakers and Tapped Horn subwoofers key to point-source system design for 1,300-capacity venue

Iron City, a new 1,300-capacity music venue in Birmingham, AL that plays host to acts both local and national artists, is outfitted with a sound reinforcement system incorporating Danley Sound Labs Synergy Horn loudspeakers and Tapped Horn subwoofers.

The performance venue occupies two former automotive warehouses downtown that the owners gutted and renovated to hit the “perfect middle” between steely grit and modern elegance.

Iron City general manager Mike Creager worked with Tim Ogletree of MediaMerge (Chelsea, AL) to design a system that would be appropriate for Iron City’s wide footprint. Rather than a line array, they opted for a point-source system using Danley Sound Labs loudspeakers.

“Tim introduced me to Danley Sound Labs and the Danley concept, and the company flew me to Gainesville, GA to tour their production facility,” says Creager. “I was impressed with Danley’s fidelity and intelligibility. Danley boxes have a clarity and presence that caught my ear. I’ve worked on a number of systems, and they usually involved eating deep into the EQ and filters. The Danley boxes required almost none of that. They’re pleasantly flat, and Danley subs have plenty of bass that’s nicely articulated.

“When I got back to Birmingham,” he continues, “Tim and I set to designing a great system for Iron City. When needed, we got ready help from Ivan Beaver, Danley’s chief engineer. In fact, then (and since) Danley’s customer support has been phenomenal. I get parts or answers almost before I’ve dialed the last number.”

Iron City’s room is wider than it is deep, and for a venue of its capacity, the ceiling is relatively low. In a mirrored, true stereo system, a pair of Danley SH-96s provide main coverage. To the side of each, a Danley SH-64 provides mezzanine fill, and below each, a Danley SH-69 provides down fill. Two Danley TH-412 subwoofers and two Danley TH-118 subwoofers provide ample low end. Lab.gruppen FP-series amplifiers drive all loudspeakers, with Lake LM44 processing and management.

“The system is tremendously efficient,” says Jason Westbrook, production manager at Iron City. “It’s loud and clear, with tons of headroom. We can’t blow it up. It doesn’t distort, even when we crank it up. Because we have a huge range of acts at Iron City – from country to hip-hop to rap to metal – the system’s flexibility is appreciated.

“It’s got the clarity, transparency, and power to satisfy all those styles. When engineers first arrive and set up their measurement systems, the first thing they remark on is how even the coverage is. It’s obvious on their screens and it’s easy to hear.”

Although the Danley name is popping up on more and more riders, it’s still in the minority at live music venues. That provides Creager and Westbrook with the opportunity (and occasional burden) of showing engineers its advantages.

“It helps that we’ve had a year of successful shows – many with big name, national acts,” Creager says. “One of our first big shows was for Bush, and the engineer was worried there wouldn’t be enough power. It’s understandable. People aren’t used to seeing a single Danley box where normally they’d see a bunch of boxes. They don’t understand the Danley technology, and they want to have a good show.

“I promised the engineer that we would bring in more boxes if he wasn’t happy. Of course, he was. Everyone leaves Iron City commenting on how great it sounds. And many engineers claim this is one of the best sounding rooms in the South. We’re pleased, to say the least.”

Danley Sound Labs

Recording Top Stories

Supported By

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik’s mission is to design and build iconic microphones and modern professional audio equipment that provides classic sound for recording, broadcast, studio, and stage . Our vision is to be a global leader in emitting good vibes through manufacturing and design, all while capturing the spark of the TELEFUNKEN legacy and transmitting it with uncompromising quality.