San Diego, California-based audio systems provider Meeting Services supplied sound to the Comic-Con International 2010 convention in San Diego for the 19th straight year, deploying a wide range of JBL Professional loudspeakers, including 24 JBL VERTEC VT4889 fullsize line array elements, 24 VT4888 midsize line array elements, and eight VT4880 fullsize arrayable subwoofers.
Fill systems, delay arrays and secondary room systems included CBT Series column loudspeakers, VRX932LA compact constant curvature array loudspeakers and JBL EON powered portable loudspeakers. Crown XTi, MAi and I-Tech amplifiers powered the loudspeakers. The system was configured with Harman HiQnet System Architect software for remote control and monitoring.
Unique from past years was Meeting Services’ deployment of CBT column loudspeakers to create a surround sound system in the makeshift theater.
“The room is shaped like a triangle, which isn’t ideal, but with the CBT speakers, we were able to angle them in a way that gave us more freedom with the main VERTEC line arrays,” says Ken Freeman, technical director of Meeting Services. “We used the directivity of the CBT speakers to our advantage. They’re also extremely light so I didn’t have to put in any extra rigging points. In the end, I saved more money on the CBT speakers than what I actually spent on the speakers themselves.”
Founded in 1970, Comic-Con is the annual international preview event for all that is science fiction, fantasy and popular culture. Entertainment industry executives, producers, directors, writers, stars and their thousands of fans flock to California every summer to get a first glimpse of comics, movies, television shows and toys due out that year.
“The entire Comic-Con convention has a very loyal following, so the most important issue was to make sure the sound coming from the movies and stage was powerful, epic and most of all, entertaining,” notes Freeman. “Our JBL system has been so successful in Comic-Con’s history, that producers and directors are actually cutting customized trailer mixes to sync with our solutions, offering the perfect sound to the audience.”
With most average movie theaters housing 400 seats, a patron is usually no further than 60 feet from the closest speaker, left or right. At Comic-Con, fans could be up to 200 feet from the nearest speaker, which was a major concern of Meeting Services. Freeman and his team utilized the VERTEC arrays to ‘trick’ the ear into thinking it was much closer, offering quality sound in any position throughout the venue.
“Comic-Con previews have a huge impact on the success or failure of the movie, so the expectation level for our systems is at ‘can’t fail,’” Freeman says. “The intense, all-encompassing sound is what makes the difference between a family staying home to watch a movie online or actually going out of the house to see the newest release. This event is a chance to show off the depth of sound that cinema theaters offer.”
“Meeting Services is now in its 10th year of owning the VT4889’s and there still is not a product on the scene that offers the same top-tier quality,” he continues. “With the help of JBL products and support staff, we continue to make this world-renowned event a completely unforgettable experience for all participants.”
