A premier 1,600-seat live performance space in Waterloo, NY’s Del Lago Resort and Casino, The Vine Theater has upgraded with an all-1 Sound system. Located halfway between Rochester and Syracuse, the $440 million complex has been a popular destination since opening in 2017. To support its steady stream of touring bands, comedians and other performances, the venue upgraded with newly developed point-source loudspeakers from 1 Sound over more popular line array options.
The decision to upgrade the P.A. system came in response to ongoing concerns regarding sound quality, system reliability and the deteriorating condition of the previous self-powered line array system. Principal consultant Tom Knauss at NV5 Consultants (nv5.com) 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 with his early career stemming from being an FOH engineer for live performances.
“The existing system reached a point where many components were beyond repair, and the sound quality was suffering,” says Knauss. “We initially received three rider-friendly proposals generally based on the replacement of the existing line array system with new line array components.” After NV5 reviewed those three proposals and based upon the success of several recent proscenium theater upgrade projects, NV5 advised Del Lago to consider an alternate design approach based on 1 Sound’s digitally modeled, multi-channel, point-source arrays.
Getting to the Point (Source)
“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, lessened aesthetic impact and more importantly, a dramatically improved sound experience for the audience,” says Knauss.
Intrigued by the “alternate” approach, Del Lago management requested an onsite demonstration of 1 Sound’s point-source solution. 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. Within five days of Del Lago’s query, a highly successful onsite demo was provided.
1 Sound’s founder and designer, Lou Mannarino, conducted the onsite demo based on a preliminary digital model utilizing multiple full-range point-source devices and carefully located subwoofers. “The Vine presented unusual challenges as it’s nearly 100 feet tall and only 100 feet deep. Due to the width and depth of the space, our approach with Tom was to design with point-sources instead of a line array,” Mannarino notes. “Using just a left and right stack of a SUB2112 with a Contour CT212 on top, the demonstration system immediately outperformed the existing system.” Impressed by what they heard, the theater management decided to immediately implement the demo system as a temporary P.A. for all upcoming events, starting with a performance by Peter Frampton.
“I was immediately blown away and floored by what I heard from what little speakers were in the room,” says The Vine’s FOH engineer Michael Richards. “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.”
Richards continues, “We were able to use that simple demo system as the actual P.A. in the theater because it covered everything, including the balconies. I spoke to our management, explaining that this is only a quarter of the system we are planning on using and just imagine what it will be like when we install the full thing.”
System Details
Anthem SSL Productions (anthem-ssl.com), a 1 Sound dealer and integrator, was awarded the contract to complete the system installation, which included left, center, right, under-balcony, over-balcony and stage fill speakers as well as stage wedges, drum fills, etc. Drive is via Powersoft T904, T904A and T604 amplifiers. An Avid S6L-32D console is used at FOH.
The main left / right hangs are comprised of two 1 Sound Contour CT212s mounted on each side via dedicated wall brackets. A total of nine Contour CT212s are used in the system, each consisting of two 12” drivers with a coaxial mid-high compression driver. This constant directivity, horn-loaded speaker’s max 145 dB SPL and 3-way crossover results in a pronounced, powerful and controlled sound that’s capable of longer throw applications. Four steerable — and cardioid-capable — CSUB610s with six 10” woofers (three front-facing; three rear-facing) were placed in front of the stage. For more LF impact and upper bass punch, five SUB2112s (21”, plus two 12” drivers) were flown. “The SUB2112s in the theater go down deeper than other subwoofers I have mixed on,” Richards emphasizes. “They reach out and grab you!”
Two more CT212s flown per side provide mezzanine coverage. The smaller speaker in the series — Contour CT28s — were mounted from the truss as well as the catwalk to reinforce the third balcony level. Ten of 1 Sound’s new Level L38 speakers — all flush-mounted to the ceiling — handle under-balcony fill. The Level L38 is a passive, cardioid point-source with a progressive horn. “A major advantage of using the Level L38 is its cardioid pattern. If you stand one foot behind it, you can’t tell if it is on, but once you move into the fill zone, they sound amazing,” says Richards.
Reactions
“The clarity and coverage provided by the 1 Sound system is astounding,” Richards adds. “We now have even coverage within ±2 dB in every seat of the house — which is huge — and even above industry standard specs. The sound pressure levels we can achieve with this 1 Sound system is far beyond what’s even allowed by law: it’s incredible. Also, I previously needed a huge plug-in chain and now it’s an EQ and a compressor. The processing just isn’t needed. The Contour boxes sound good with just a microphone on them.
“I’m already used to the fidelity I have at the theater,” Richards continues. “I actively mix on other premium systems and line arrays in different applications. They do the job but do not have the same sound and fidelity of 1 Sound. So far, we’ve 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 Three Dog Night — his other band — and is looking forward to hearing their 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 now realizing the adjustments I’ve 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 eight inches off the floor and have a progressive horn design that focuses the energy farther back, while progressively narrowing the dispersion, giving these monitors more control. “The control and isolation of these monitors is amazing,” Richards says. “Point them where you want and that’s the only place you hear it. I used to use one of the best pro audio wedges and the backwash sound off them that I had to deal with at front of house was horrible. It dictated the volume of my show. Now, with this new CM38 floor monitor, there is no stage volume,” he states. “That wedge is a game changer in the entire industry. Everyone who has come in and seen them has been blown away.”
The reaction to the main P.A. system is similar. “When a guest engineer walks into front of house, the standard comment is: ‘Is that all the P.A. I have?’ This is because all you see are two boxes mounted on the wall, so I say, ‘turn it on and listen.’ When they leave, they always ask ‘Do you have any more information on this?’ Everybody’s impressed with this new system.’ I’m so happy with it,” Richards concludes.
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. And now, with this upgrade, The Vine is seeming to set a new benchmark for live performance venues across the country.
THE VINE THEATER
- Location: Waterloo, NY
- Capacity: 1,600
- Mains: (9) 1 Sound CT212, (12) CT288
- Subs: (5) SUB2112, (6) CSUB610
- Monitors: (14) 1 Sound CM38
- Under-Balcony Fills: (10) 1 Sound L38
- Audio Consultant: Tom Knauss, NV5
- Integrators: Anthem SSL Productions
For more info, visit www.1-sound.com
