COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Ameristar Casino’s Amerisports Bar, based here, offers patrons live entertainment every weekend. FOH engineer Dan Allen added AKG IVM4500 IEM in-ear-monitors to a system setup that already included other Harman components ranging from a Soundcraft digital console, Crown amplifiers and JBL Professional loudspeakers.
More details from Harman (www.HARMAN.com):
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – With live entertainment every weekend ranging from legendary classic rock to top 40 covers by local bands, Ameristar Casino’s Amerisports Bar located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, recently added HARMAN’s AKG IVM4500 IEM in-ear-monitors to improve sound for every act in its uniquely shaped room. With a full Harman support system, including a Soundcraft digital console, Crown amplifiers and JBL Professional loudspeakers, FOH engineer Dan Allen ensures that casino patrons will enjoy their time eating, drinking and dancing in the bar.
With the multiple sets of AKG IVM4500 IEM’s and its room simulation program, Allen says the performing artists have become more comfortable in the large room, which is octagonally shaped at the stage and dance floor end. The remaining area of the room – approximately 150 feet long – is rectangular and contains an island bar about 100 feet back. The room’s technical staff had struggled with acoustical issues for years before the HARMAN audio overhaul and a sound-dampening renovation. With the internal processing selections of IVM4500 including 8 compression, 8 EQ and 8 room simulations settings, moving onstage acts to the AKG in-ear monitoring system has yielded positive results.
“AKG thought of everything when it developed the IVM4500’s,” stated Allen. “The in-ears are easy to set up and have very low signal latency. Even artists who have no previous experience with in-ear monitors are easily adjusting to them, allowing for their best performances every week.”
Within the casino, wireless communication signals are very dense, as security and other departments utilize numerous free frequency channels. Allen’s AKG WMS470 wireless mic systems are always clear and have never dropped signal during a performance.
The Amerisports Bar’s audio reinforcement system also includes an AKG Rhythm Pack with a D112 kick drum mic, C430 condensers for overheads and D40’s for toms. A Soundcraft Si Expression 3 digital console and JBL STX800 series loudspeakers powered by Crown XTI amplifiers round out the concert sound system.
“I’ve really grown fond of the Soundcraft Expression,” Allen continued. “The user levels, recall and scene setups work well and can be easily used by our IT personnel if I’m not there. It’s easy to train those engineers on the Expression who are used to analog boards. And, the JBL speakers are very honest, leaving the entire system quite transparent, especially in the atypical-shaped room. I have been a JBL fan for life and every time I see that orange sticker, I know we’ll have great sound.”
