A new outdoor amphitheatre hosting a wide range of live music performances in the growing community of Beaver Dam, KY, incorporates a sound reinforcement system headed by dB Technologies DVA Series line arrays and subwoofers.
Called the Beaver Dam Amphitheater, it recently opened with a concert featuring country stars Joe Diffie and Lonestar. The dual-tier design of the space accommodates concerts up to 1,200 with lawn chairs, with the ability to expand to 5,000 with a bowled grass second-tier berm.
To meet the dual purpose nature of the facility, Bowling Green, KY-based Musician’s Pro owner Sean Thomas met with the facility designers, Clements and Associates Architecture, to assist in the venue plans.
“At first, I met with the architect and discussed the multi-function purpose of the amphitheater,” says Thomas. “And we became involved not only with the design of the sound system, but in integrating all the logistics of lighting, power, rigging and systems control.”
The design resulted in a partnership with Musician’s Pro. “We designed a system that is self-contained for 90 percent of the events covering the ground level seating area,” Thomas notes.
The sound reinforcement system incorporates 16 dB Technologies DVA-T4 compact line array modules, split into main left and right arrays of eight modules, working with six DVA-S30N double 18-inch subwoofers (three per side). Six dB DVX DM15 are used for stage monitors.
This system can be supplemented with additional equipment that includes 12 dB DVA-T12s, eight DVA-T8s, and four more DVA-S30N subs.
“We had to work within the facility’s budget and the systemized approach of the dB Technologies DVA Series allowed us to meet those needs,” explains Thomas. “And they absolutely loved the fact that their system was completely compatible with our rig.”
Utilizing dB DVA Composer software, he adds, “We were able to get better design performance, tighter splay, increased low frequency response and even SPL distribution.
“A few years back I decided to downsize my system to find some gear that was newer, smaller, powered and better,” Thomas continues. “That’s when I called dB Technologies, understanding they had a lightweight, active solution.” Since first acquiring a system for the Musician’s Pro rental division, “our business has doubled, nearly tripled from what we used to do,” he says.
