In the heart of New Orleans’ Warehouse District, Republic Nola occupies a spacious warehouse that has served many purposes during its 150-year history. Its current guise brings an eclectic audience to enjoy music, cocktails and entertainment of all kinds. The venue has recently completed a major refurbishment at the hands of local sound sopecialist Raven Production Management Group.
Raven Production Management Group (PMG) handles all aspects of event production and execution (including system installation, with Audio Systems Coordinator Jason Starkey overseeing the venue’s new sound reinforcement system. ‘The venue came under new ownership mid-2015,’ he says. ‘As part of the new owner’s vision and to make an impact for the ten-year anniversary, the entire building was renovated.
‘All three bars were completely demolished and rebuilt, the room lighting was entirely re-done, and new offices were added. Along with these renovations, the production was ramped up. In addition to a new DAS Audio sound reinforcement system, we installed a new video system, lighting and control.’
For the main stage set-up, Starkey and his team flew two DAS LX-118A powered subwoofers and four Aero 20A line array elements each for the LF hangs. For additional low-frequency support, they placed two UX-221A powered subwoofers underneath the stage. For front fill, the Raven PMG crew suspended two DAS Artec 510A point source loudspeaker enclosures on either side of the stage.
‘Because of the way the mezzanine is designed, the main hang doesn’t quite cover the first floor underneath the balcony,’ Starkey reports. ‘To compensate for this, we used six Artec 510A enclosures as a distributed fill system. The main hang, subs, and front fills are all processed through a DAS Audio DSP-4080 4-input/8-output processor, while the distributed fills are managed by a processor the venue already owned.’ Rounding out the system, there are also six DAS Action Series M12A powered monitor wedges on stage plus a single Vantec 18A powered subwoofer for the drum fill.
‘The first thing that pops out for me with this install is the fill system,’ Starkey says. ‘It might seem minor to most, but the balanced and equal coverage we were able to achieve with such a compact and versatile box is astounding. DAS offers a few different mountable and adjustable rigging brackets for the Artec series. This enabled us to do what was necessary sonically without negatively impacting the aesthetics of the venue. Secondly, the versatility of the processor and DASnet allow the engineers working the venue to handle each night with consistency. The ability to save/recall settings for different types of events in the venue – plus remote monitoring – provide the venue continuity of sound and protection of their investment. Last but not least, the ability to fly the Aero-20A under the LX-118A allowed me to get a little extra low end upstairs as well as coverage of the whole space. The UX-221A have some incredible output levels and a fantastic musical quality not normally found in subwoofers of this size.’
With the Republic Nola installation completed and the equipment in use regularly, Starkey says:‘I think it’s safe to say the venue is extremely satisfied with the install. In the past couple of months, I couldn’t go a day without seeing Republic Nola brag about the new sound system in social media. Countless times, I’ll be at FOH and I routinely get compliments from both patrons and touring engineers. Word seems to be getting around town that Republic is one of the best sounding venues in New Orleans.’
