Enjoying The Challenge: Quality Sound And Professionalism For Tributefest

Low-end was supplied by left and right stacks of QSC WL212 dual-12 band-pass subwoofers in two-over-two configuration on stage decking.

In addition, six QSC GP218 dual-18 subs across the front of the stage provided the deepest punch to the system.

Two more WideLine-8 boxes were placed equidistant off center on top of the subs as lip fills for the front/center area to help balance out the low end there with more mid/high energy.

DJE performed system tuning and optimization after the system went into place. Time alignment was performed with an assist from Rational Acoustics Smaart v7, in addition to snapshots of frequency response taken throughout the coverage area to identify and correct any phase anomolies.

Overall system levels were kept below 102 dB (C weighted) at mix position, with a rough estimate of about 98 dB on average throughout the event.

The morning of the show, the broad-sided metal food trucks arrived and presented a complication in the form of “slapping back” (reflecting) sonic energy into the coverage area. The sound team dealt with this last-minute annoyance by lowering the height of the main arrays just enough to lessen the energy reaching the trucks.

Brian English mixing one of the acts at Tributefest on an Avid VENUE SC48 console. (click to enlarge)

Efficient Transfer

Tesoriero and English utilized an Avid VENUE SC48 console at front of house, which was located centrally about 80 feet from the stage. The SC48 is well-suited to handle the fast-paced nature of multi-act events with preset and snapshot capability in abundance, and it also supplied all effects required for each act.

A QSC RAVE522 served as the system’s digital drive snake (on Cat-6) from the house console to the amp racks containing QSC PowerLight 3 Series (primarily PL6.0, PL380 and PL340) power amplifiers driving the arrays and subwoofers.

A powerful, inclusive platform, QSC BASIS processors provided all amplifier and loudspeaker management, configurable DSP for the main system, as well as CobraNet digital audio transport. All of these factors were controlled and monitored at the house position via a PC running Venue Manager software.

Subwoofers on the sides and running across the front, with a couple of front fill loudspeakers added this year. (click to enlarge)

One of the most notable aspects of BASIS is a proprietary Automatic Power Limiting technology, which establishes a feedback loop between the loudspeakers and amplifiers that assesses the driver’s thermal response to the true power delivered to it and uses this information to dynamically limit the power allowed to reach the driver.

It has no effect on the sound until the designated thermal limit is exceeded, beyond which the power to the driver is reduced to a safe level. This maximizes each loudspeaker’s performance without exceeding its safe operating range.

“BASIS is really handy, especially in demanding events like long-running festivals,” Cimino states. “It’s helpful, and more than a bit comforting, to be able to cue the amp racks, watch their loads, and monitor other key system aspects from the house. If there’s a problem or a change needed, you know about it immediately.”

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