Having been the audio provider for Denver’s Swallow Hill Music for more than 15 years, Space Recording Live Sound’s responsibilities have recently been extended to the popular Arvada Center for the Arts.
The 2014 season, sees the centre’s 1500-plus capacity amphitheatre providing the stage for the likes of Pat Metheny, Jamie Cullum, Don McLean, Judy Collins and the Colorado Symphony. Also gracing the stage is Space Recording Live Sound’s new Vue al-8 Line Array System.
Production Manager Allen Noftall has configured dual al-8 arrays consisting of eight elements per side. Four Vue V6 Systems Engines deliver all power and processing for the arrays, while a pair of Soundcraft SI-Performer 3 consoles handle both main and monitor mixes: ‘I first heard the Vue al-8 at a demo hosted by PSI,’ he says. ‘I was impressed by the amount of pure, clean sound emanating from the system. The top end was like nothing I’d heard before. I knew immediately I wanted to use these at Arvada.
‘Vue came out and did an Ease model of the venue. We configured the al-8 according to the model, and it was absolutely perfect from the moment it we fired it up. This is easily the most precise and predictable line array I’ve worked with--and the sound quality is nothing short of spectacular.’
Now nine shows into the season, Noftall reflects on the al-8’s performance: ‘This is the third loudspeaker system I’ve mixed on at the Arvada Center and it’s by far the most effective,’ he says. ‘I can push the Vue system hard and it never breaks up. I can also back way down for more mellow acts and it never loses its amazing detail. Put simply, the al-8 sounds incredible at any volume.’
The system will now be joined by further additions: ‘The al-8 is so versatile and scalable that I see it working well for everything from small street festivals to corporate events,’ Noftall says. ‘Now I’m looking forward to adding few Vue ACM subwoofers to the mix. I’ve heard these subs in action and can’t wait to combine them with the al-8.’
