NEW YORK CITY — For 20 years, the Knitting Factory has been one of New York City’s most adventurous live entertainment venues. A technical renovation to revamp the venue incorporated Meyer Sound systems into the mix with UltraSeries loudspeakers.
Knitting Factory Chief Engineer Jason Tubbs worked with Meyer Sound to design a system that would enhance the audience and artist experiences. Sonic Circus Inc. installed the entire system, which included new FOH and monitor consoles.
The result was a combination of four UPA-2P compact narrow coverage loudspeakers, two UPJ-1P Compact VariO loudspeakers, and a pair of USW-1P compact subwoofers. “We have a wide variety of acts coming through here, from emerging artists all the way to global headliners,” Tubbs says. “Our Meyer system offers the flexibility to deal with all of them. For hip-hop, we have all the low end we need, plus crystal-clear intelligibility for the vocals. There’s plenty of power for the rockers, and for the acoustic acts, the definition is there.”
The L-shape, hard surfaces, and expansive balcony of the 400-capacity main space impose an interesting set of acoustical challenges on its revamped loudspeaker system. However, the narrow symmetrical pattern and control of the UPA-2P combined with the high frequency performance of the UPJ-1P reenergize the venue’s primary stage. “When we installed the new Meyer system, we just kept turning it up and up to 115 dB,” Tubbs recalls. “This is almost like a hi-fi system. It’s putting everything exactly where I want it to go.”
Inverting the UPA-2P cabinets allowed improved intelligibility under the 100-seat balcony. “When you’re way back in the balcony, you can see the lower part of the box — and if you can see it, you can hear it,” says Tubbs. “We were able to put the boxes up higher than in our previous install, so sight lines to the stage are better, and it feels bigger. Artists who return here feel it right away; they’re constantly asking us, ‘Did you change something?’”
In addition, the renovation includes Meyer Sound USW-1P subs with a flat response from 32 to 180 Hz. “Those are built right into the center stage,” Tubbs says. “Adding the USW-1P subs took our sound to the next level. You can feel some of that bass guitar in your gut, the drive of the kick drum — the low end off the floor pushes you around a little bit without being overwhelming.”
Despite its big sound and multiple performance halls, the Knitting Factory suffers from space constraints — a common problem for NYC venues — which makes the compact profile of Meyer Sound’s design effective. “With everything in the box, you don’t need to deal with crossovers and dialing up settings, because it’s ready to go,” Tubbs says. “In a smaller club like the Knitting Factory, taking up less space is absolutely necessary. We need every inch we can get.”
Long recognized as a key showcase for cutting-edge and new music, the three-floor venue’s distinctive main space stage has hosted such musical attractions as Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Bill Frisell, and Death Cab for Cutie, among others.
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For information, please visit www.meyersound.com.
