Minneapolis-based Reach Communications recently added a NEXO STM line array system to its inventory, and has already deployed it for two high-profile events.
“The output and sound quality is incredible and very accurate,” says Dan Brown, event services manager at Reach Communications. “We’ve had engineers comment that the STM rig has headroom for days, and I barely had to do anything to the EQ. We wanted a system that would give engineers a clean canvas to mix on and headroom to handle the largest venues, and STM provides that.”
Reach utiliized its new gear for both Unite–NDOP 2014 and the KTIS Joyful Noise Family Festival, which featured performances by Lincoln Brewster, Mercy Me, Tenth Ave North, Steven Curtis Chapman, Audio Adrenaline, Mandisa, and Hawk Nelson.
For NDOP 2014, the system configuration consisted of 12 STM M46 full-range boxes and 12 B112 bass modules per side, eight GEO S12s per side for out fill and nine GEO S12s per side for rear fill. Eight STM S118 subs were positioned left and right, with eight RS18 Ray Subs spread across the center and eight PS10-R2s providing front fill. Reach also supplied two Yamaha CL5 digital consoles, one at front of house and one for monitors, along with a PM5D-RH for the house band’s monitors.
For Joyful Noise, 12 STM M46 boxes and B112 bass modules per side were deployed, joined by 12 GEO S12s HL and five GEO S12s HR for out fill and 16 GEO S12 for delays – eight left and eight right. Low end was delivered with eight NEXO STM S118 subs per side in a cardioid configuration and 18 RS18 Ray Subs spread across the center in stacks of three high. Eight PS10-R2s delivered front fill.
On stage there were 10 PS15-R2 wedges, two PS15-R2 and two RS18s for side fill, and two RS15 for drum subs. Fourteen NEXO NUAR racks delivered audio power and processing to all loudspeakers. A Yamaha CL5 was deployed at FOH and a PM5D-RH at monitors. Reach also utilized a new Yamaha QL1 digital console for playback and announcements.
“The Reach Communications rig was my first experience with the NEXO STM, and it was incredible,” states Lee Fields, front of house engineer for Lincoln Brewster. “The horsepower of this PA is remarkable. From the second I started mixing until the last note, I was blown away by the punch of the LF and smoothness of the HF. This is seriously the muscle car of PA.”
“We researched NEXO, L-Acoustics, d&b and others for boxes having a high 145-plus dB peak output per box, to use as a large-format line array for our bigger shows,” Brown adds. “Having had a long history with NEXO and owning 130-plus boxes in house before this purchase, we felt with our current inventory and amazing support from NEXO, this was the obvious option.”
With the addition of the STM, Reach now owns 192 NEXO boxes as well as 34 NXAmp 4×4 and 4 NXAmp 4×1 amplifiers.