The Vine Theater Upgrades to a 1 SOUND System, Hitting ‘Above Industry Standard Specs’

The Vine 2,000 seat Theater hits above industry standard with a 1 SOUND point source design
***Scroll down below article: full photo gallery & post installation feedback***
photo credit: Mark Mcgauley

Waterloo, NY – The Vine Theater, a premier 1,600-seat live performance venue located within the Del Lago Resort and Casino, has upgraded its concert system to a completely installed 1 SOUND system. The Vine which is in the circuit of touring bands, comedians, and other performances chose 1 SOUND point sources over more popular line array options for their theater.

The decision to upgrade the audio system came in response to ongoing concerns regarding sound quality, system reliability, and the deteriorating condition of the previous self-powered line array system. Tom Knauss, Principal Consultant at NV5 Consultants Inc. was brought in to review the current system and provide recommendations. Tom Knauss routinely provides technology consulting services as an active consultant for Del Lago’s sister properties and his early career and foundation stem from being a front of house engineer for live performances.

"The existing system had reached a point where many components were beyond repair, and the overall sound quality was suffering," said Knauss. “We initially received three rider-friendly proposals generally based on the replacement of the existing line array system with new line array components.” Within NV5’s review of the three proposals, in addition to these options and based upon the success of several recent proscenium theater upgrade projects, NV5 advised Del Lago of the potential for considering an alternate design approach. The alternate approach would be based on a digitally modeled, multi-channel, point source arrays.

“A properly designed and implemented point source system can significantly decrease the quantity of loudspeaker devices without degrading performance. Properly implemented, a point source approach can lead to decreased system costs, diminished aesthetic impact, and more importantly, a dramatically improved sound experience to the audience,” said Knauss.

Ja Rule sold out concert, the first concert on the completed system

Intrigued by the "alternate" approach, Del Lago management requested an on-site demonstration of a point source solution from 1 SOUND. Given the venue's urgent needs, 1 SOUND agreed to provide an onsite demonstration to be followed by a factory-developed report including a recommended system design and proposal from an authorized 1 SOUND integrator. A highly successful on-site demonstration was provided within five days of Del Lago's request.

1 SOUND's Founder and Designer, Lou Mannarino, conducted the on-site demonstration based on a preliminary digital model utilizing multiple full-range point source devices and carefully located subwoofer devices. “The Vine's physical dimensions presented unusual challenges as it is nearly 100 feet tall and only 100 deep. Our approach with Tom was to design with point sources instead of a line array because of the width and depth of the space.” said Lou Mannarino. Using just a left and right stack of a SUB2112 with a Contour CT212 on top, the demonstration system immediately outperformed the existing system. The theater management was so impressed that they decided to implement this demo system over their current system as their temporary PA for all upcoming events, starting with a performance by Peter Frampton.

“I was immediately blown away and floored by what I was hearing out of what little speakers were in the room,” said Mike Richards, Front of House Engineer at The Vine. “We wanted new technology that would cover our room and give us the sound pressure levels we needed for the concerts we are doing. 1 SOUND fit that bill perfectly.”

“We were able to use that simple demo system as the actual PA in the theater because it was indeed covering, including the balconies! I went to our management and said look this is only a quarter of the system we are planning on using, just imagine what it is going to be like when we install the full thing and there is even coverage everywhere,” said Richards.

Anthem Productions, a 1 SOUND dealer and integrator was awarded the contract to complete the full installation of the system. The full system included left, center, right, under balcony, over balcony, stage fills speakers as well as stage wedges, drum fills, etc.

The visible PA as the main left and right were two Contour CT212s mounted on either side with their dedicated wall bracket. The Contour CT212s consist of two 12-inch drivers with a mid-high coaxial compression driver. This constant directivity, horn-loaded loudspeaker has a max SPL of 145 dB with 3-way crossover resulting in a pronounced and powerful, controlled sound, that is capable of high SPL and a longer throw. Four CSUB610s were placed in front of the stage and five SUB2112s were flown by truss providing impactful lower frequency needed for the venue. The SUB2112 is a bi-amped sub consisting of one 21-inch driver and two 12-inches so it is deep yet has punchy upper bass as well. “The SUB2112s in the theater go down deeper than other subwoofers I have mixed on. They reach out and grab you!” emphasized Richards.

Level L38c under balcony speakers
photo credit: Mark Mcgauley

For the mezzanine two more CT212s were flown per side. The smaller speaker in the series, the Contour CT28 was mounted for the third balcony level coverage from the truss as well as the catwalk. For the under balcony fills, ten of 1 SOUND’s brand new Level L38 loudspeakers were flush-mounted to the ceiling standing only 8 inches off of the ceiling. The Level L38 is a passive cardioid point source with a progressive horn. “The biggest difference about using the Level L38 is the cardioid pattern. If you stand one foot behind it, you can’t tell if it is on… You move into the fill zone, they sound amazing!” explained Richards.

"The clarity and coverage provided by the 1 SOUND system is astounding," said Richards. “With the completed 1 SOUND system, we have even coverage with + or - 2 dB in every seat of the house. Which is huge. It means we are even above industry standard specs! The sound pressure levels we are able to achieve with this 1 SOUND system is so far above what is even allowed by law, it’s incredible! I used to have a huge plug-in chain and now I’m down to an EQ and a compressor. The processing just isn’t needed! The Contour boxes just sound good with a microphone on it.”

“I am already used to the fidelity I have at the theater. I actively mix on other premium systems and line arrays in different applications. They do the job but it does not have the same sound and fidelity of 1 SOUND.

“I have had several touring engineers on the system. Keanu Reeves’ rock band, Dogstar, was just in, and their FOH engineer loved it! He can’t wait to return with his other band Three Dog Night where he is looking forward to hearing the vocals in the house. Another touring engineer for a country artist said, ‘The equipment on my console has never sounded this good!’. The comments from engineers have even gone as far as someone saying, ‘I'm realizing the adjustments I have been making on my mixes to accommodate line arrays.’.”

As for the sound on stage, The Vine marks the first theater to have 1 SOUND’s new cardioid concert monitor, the CM38. The CM38s stand only 8 inches off the floor and have a progressive horn design which focuses the energy farther back while progressively narrowing the dispersion, giving these monitors more control. “The control and isolation of these monitors is amazing. Point them where you want and that is the only place you hear it,” explained Richards. “I used to use one of the best pro audio wedges and the backwash sound off of them that I had to deal with at front of house was horrible. It dictated the volume of my show. With this new floor monitor CM38, now, there is no stage volume.”

“The first time setting them up I did our standard wedge set up as if we had a touring band come in and within ten minutes I had the stage levels at over 115 dB clean and stable. That wedge is a game changer in the entire industry. Everyone who has come in and seen them has been blown away.”

“The standard comment I get when a guest engineer walks into front of house, they say ‘Is that all the PA I have?’ Because all you see is two boxes mounted on the wall and I say turn it on and listen. When they leave, they always ask ‘Do you have any more information on this that I can get?’ I have only impressed people with this new system. I am so happy with this system,” concluded Richards.

The Vine Theater's commitment to delivering an unparalleled live sound experience is evident in their research, expertise, and passion for their theater and their new audio system. With this upgrade, The Vine is seeming to set a new benchmark for live performance venues across the country.