The 16th Annual Viña Rock Festival of Native Art in Villarrobledo, Albacete and the Benicàssim International Festival conspired to give DAS Audio loudspeaker systems a high profile in Spain throughout the concert season.
Poor weather failed to deter more than 30,000 fans from attending Viña Rock 2011, to see Rosendo, Raimundo Amador, Habeas Corpus and Los Delincuentes. Over the Festival’s upbeat three days, Aero Series 2 line array systems served the Metalika and the Babilonia stages. As its name suggests, the Metalike stage was devoted to heavy metal...
And an impressive arsenal of DAS equipment was installed to deliver it – the main PA comprised 28 Aero 50 line array systems in linear formations of 14 units on the sides of the stage. Fourteen DAS LX-218A self-powered subwoofers were mounted in two seven-unit formations on each side for low-frequency support.
Twenty-one additional LX-218A subwoofers were stacked in front of the stage, giving the system enormous ‘throw.’ Four Aero 12A systems at the front of the stage ensured coverage for the first few audience rows. For side fill, three self-powered Aero 12A line array systems were installed on opposite sides of the stage; these were accompanied by two LX-218A subwoofers. Two Aero 12A systems plus an LX-218A subwoofer took care of the drum fill, while the new DAS Road 12A and 15A monitors were the chosen solution to the different artists that performed on the Metalika stage.
May’s SOS 4.8 festival saw 80,000 revelers taking in Suede, Patti Smith, Lori Meyers, Vetusta Morla and These New Puritans. Here, DAS systems were used at the large Jägermeister stage, the Modo Sonoro Auditorium and elsewhere around the fairgrounds. DAS Audio and local company J Ramírez Sonido joined forces to install the systems at both the Jägermeister and SOS Club by Ron Barceló stages and in the Auditorium.
At the big Jägermeister stage, 24 Aero 50 line array systems were called to duty, with two linear formations of 12 systems rigged on opposite sides of the stage to cover the wide audience area. Low-frequency support was provided by 27 high performance self-powered DAS LX-218A subwoofers, ground stacked in front of the stage in nine groups of three subwoofers each.
Four Aero 12A line array systems covered the area in front of the stage, while two groups of three Aero 12A systems and two LX-218A subwoofers were stacked on each side of the stage for side fill. Another Aero 12A system was stacked on a LX-218A unit for drum fill. For stage monitoring, DAS Audio and J Ramírez Sonido brought in the new DAS Road Series – specifically six Road 12A and another six Road 15A systems.
One of the most popular festivals in Europe, more than 150,000 fans descended on the 17th Benicàssim International Festival’s four stages. This year, the FIB Club Stage was the showcase stage for the wide spectrum of music options at the festival, with a particular emphasis on prominent pop and electro artists and groups. Aero Series 2 systems provided the sound for the acts playing on this stage, which included Anna Calvi, Dorian, The Undertones, O Emperor and Zombie Zombie.
Aero 50 line array boxes provided the main system on the FIB Club Stage. Twenty-four Aero 50 systems were assembled on opposite sides of the stage in two arrays of 12. The size and powerful ‘throw’ of the speakers cover the 70m depth of the audience area. For low-frequency support, DAS LX-218CA self-powered subwoofer systems were ground-stacked in 12 blocks of two units across the front part of the stage. The etire subwoofer system was arranged in a virtual arc configuration. Four Aero 12A units handled front fill for the first few rows. The entire system was monitored and controlled using two DAS DSP-4080 digital signal processors.
‘This year’s concert season was one wild ride – both for the festival attendees and DAS Audio,’ say DAS Audio Marketing Director, Robert Giner. ‘The amount of equipment and the logistics involved in pulling these massive sound systems together was mind boggling. The end result, however, was well worth every ounce of effort.
‘I’d like to thank the sound rental companies Acoustic Crom, J Ramiréz Sonido, and Sagarmanta Productions for their impressive technical support in these events. As a sound company, it was gratifying to see our equipment everywhere and we learned much from the experience – all of which will aid us as we design and introduce new products.’
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