DAS Audio Aero 12A arrays used for Auckland concerts

The two concerts were the first opportunity for Edwards Sound to use its newly purchased DAS arrays, and according to the sound, lighting and audiovisual supplier, both events presented their own challenges. The first was an outdoor concert held as part of the Auckland Racing Club’s Cup Week Carnival, which saw 5,000 people listen to DJs play between horse races, with rock band The Black Seeds headlining the event.

With the stage located in the centre of the race-track, Edwards Sound flew 12 Aero 12A arrays per side at a height of 6m, with four LX-218A subs per side providing low end reinforcement. On stage, SM-15A and SML-12A active wedges were used for foldback alongside an Avant 18A subwoofer and Avant 15A full range loudspeaker for drum fill.

‘For the Black Seeds outdoor show, the 90° horizontal dispersion enabled us to precisely control the sound so as not to interfere with the racing commentary and broadcast in the other parts of the course,’ explained Jonathan Hardie-Neil, Edwards Sound MD. ‘While the people in the grandstands and public areas on the racing club side of the track knew there was a party going on, the sound was so well controlled that the two events ran side by side without interfering with each other.’

The second event took place in Auckland town hall, with the Topp Twins and the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra performing, and saw Edwards Sound contracted top provide an FOH system at short notice. ‘Originally, they were going to use the house PA system,’ recalled Mr Neil. ‘During rehearsals, it became clear that something more was needed.’ Having been called in at 5.10pm in the afternoon, the supplier delivered the system by 8am the following morning. Again, 12 Aero 12A arrays were flown per side, though no additional low end was required.

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