Nicki Minaj and Autism Rocks call upon Delta Sound
Published: MEA
UAE: Delta Sound recently fulfilled the audio requirements for a couple of events that took place at the temporary Autism Rocks arena. The audio and communications supplier deployed a full production package at Nicki Minaj’s concert and provided the main PA system as Flo Rida headlined the Autism Rocks charity family day.
Nicki Minaj’s show at the outdoor arena, which is located close by the Dubai Outlet Mall, was the only Middle East stop during the singer’s Pink Print Tour and featured a PA system comprising L-Acoustics K1s for the main hangs, with K2s utilised for downfill. K1 subs were flown and SB28s were deployed on the ground, while Kara and K2 provided frontfill and outfill respectively. The system was powered by LA-RAK modular touring racks and was controlled via Galileo.
L-Acoustics' 115 XT HIQ provided the stage monitoring alongside flown K2 side fills and subs of both the SB28 and SB18 variety. A DiGiCo SD5 mixing console was employed at the monitor position and ran alongside a Waves Extreme server, meanwhile, at FOH, Ms Minaj was mixed on an Avid Profile.
Delta also supplied an RF package for the concert, consisting of Sennheiser 2000 series IEMs and 5000 series microphones, along with 100 Motorola GP340 radios to enable communication amongst the production crew. The patch and microphones were setup by Delta technicians Jeric Ventura and Rayno Spies.
‘The Autism Rocks arena is a large site with an extensive VIP area,’ said Mr Spies. ‘It’s also out in the desert, so can get pretty windy. The K1 and K2 combination dealt with it well.’
‘Dennis Thomson was the FOH for Nicki Minaj,’ added Delta’s director and project manager for the project, Al Woods. ‘He used one Avid Profile, one SPX 990 and one TC D2, with a couple of Avalon 737s. Without a plugin or snapshot in sight, it sounded great!’
Delta Sound returned to the arena the following week, providing a similar solution for the Autism Rocks family fun day, a fundraising event to combat autism. As Flo Rida headlined, Delta provided a main PA system that once again featured L-Acoustics K1, K2 and SB28s, this time accompanied by DV-Dosc enclosures.
The stage monitors included L-Acoustics’ 115 XT HIQ with SB28 and SB18 subs once more, with Arc side fills deployed on this occasion. Senior engineer at Delta, Craig Harvey, provided the stage mixing by way of a PM56D RH, an SD9 and an SD11. In toal, 14 ways of Sennheiser 2050 IEM systems were used for the performers’ ears. An Avid Profile was adopted for Flo Rida, while an SD9 was used for the other arstists at FOH. ‘Craig mixed the onstage sound for FloRida and his band,’ noted Mr Woods. ‘They loved it!’
Rayno Spies and Jeric Ventura were also back for this event, running the stage and patch, utilising a Clear-Com FreeSpeak system for the stage shout, which was integrated into the SD11 at FOH. ‘We have a full duplex system onstage and between all six consoles, it makes onstage communication very precise,’ explained Mr Ventura.
The event was met with a downpour from the clouds above, but the weather couldn’t prevent Delta Sound from completing the project. ‘The fact it rained all day didn’t dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm or delay the proceedings!’ exclaimed Mr Woods.