Merged Audio Setup for Iconic Event at Two Landmark Locations
Cracking the AudioTech Code:
Two iconic Southern California spots, the Riverside Municipal Auditorium and Fox Performing Arts Center, both got a fresh sonic makeover by year-end 2024. These historic venues received identical L-Acoustics L Series sound systems provided by Eighth Day Sound, a Clair Global brand. With team members from Clair Global, L-Acoustics, and Live Nation (the joint operators of both venues) working together, the new systems were seamlessly integrated.
The Revival of Live Sound:
These venues, located three blocks apart and initially opened two months apart, welcomed their patrons for the first time in November 1928 (Riverside Municipal Auditorium) and January 1929 (Fox Performing Arts Center). Both received structural updates and sound system overhauls roughly 15 years ago, before Live Nation took charge of their management.
Brendon Davis, director of venue production for both facilities, shared his enthusiasm for the resemblance of the new sound systems, citing his enthusiasm for L-Acoustics' audio quality, which he had experienced earlier in his career. "Shared crews across locations means having identical systems streamlines our audio engineers' operations," Davis explained.
L-Acoustics: A Brand of Consistency and Quality
According to Jason Vrobel, global sales at Clair Global, it was Davis who requested the L Series systems. Vrobel noted that these were the first L Series installations at a Live Nation venue by his team.
Each venue boasts a specialized L-Acoustics L2/L2D system designed to meet their unique architectural requirements. For instance, the 1,600-seater Fox uses two L2, one L2D per side for its main hang, with an L2D center hang and three KS21i subwoofers per side. The 1,400-capacity RMA features a more compact setup with one L2 and one L2D per side, accompanied by four KS28 subwoofers per side. Both sites also include various fill speakers for complete audio coverage. The Fox employs eight LA7.16i and one LA12X amplified controller, while RMA uses five LA7.16i, two LA12X, and three LA4X units.
The Power of Consistency
Vrobel revealed that the uniformity of sound systems in Live Nation venues allows for streamlined operations. "In the case of the Fox and RMA, equipment uniformity extends to the front-of-house and monitor consoles at the venues," Vrobel added.
Davis confirmed that this consistency provides immediate benefits for audience members and attracts a broader range of artists to the venues. For example, Social Distortion, who hadn't performed at RMA since 2014, was enticed by the improved sound system and played on New Year's Eve that year.
In the future, these two historic Southern California venues are all set to host an array of performances, including Shen Yun, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and Engelbert Humperdinck at the Fox, and The Mars Volta, Less Than Jake, and Dance Gavin Dance at the RMA. Prepare to experience unparalleled audio quality and a sense of unity across both venues.
- The identical L-Acoustics L Series sound systems, featuring L2/L2D systems, have been installed in both the Riverside Municipal Auditorium and Fox Performing Arts Center, allowing for a uniform sound experience across gadgets of technology.
- The consistent use of L-Acoustics sound systems, along with identical front-of-house and monitor consoles, is expected to showcase the company's renowned audio quality and attract various artists, such as Social Distortion and The Mars Volta, making use of the revamped features of these historic venues.
