LAS VEGAS — The new $662 million Aliante Station casino, on the northern fringe of the Las Vegas metro area, depends on its showroom as a key draw for locals and tourists.
Montreal-based Sceno Plus provided the architecture, AV, lighting and control system infrastructure for the 600-plus seat Access theater, with Audio Video Design-Build (AVDB) handling audio, video and control systems.
AVDB chose a 96-channel input Yamaha PM5D-RH digital audio console and a Yamaha DSP5D expander. Along with the price, the ability to serve as a standard, rider-friendly solution was a key selling point.
“Most engineers know how to run it because of the vast installed base, and availability in the inventory of all the major touring companies,” said Scott Oosthuizen, AVDB system designer. The Yamaha DSP5D expander, he added, “was required to add 48-additional inputs.”
At FOH, the overall system equalizer is a Dolby Lake LP8D8, and dual Manley MSLC can be inserted across the digital system busses for a touch of analog warmth. The Yamaha PM5D-RH with DSP5D expander is one of the first 96- Input systems permanently installed in Las Vegas. The digital audio systems were also word-clock locked using a dual pair of Apogee Big Ben Master Digital Clocks at the stage Monitor and FOH locations.
The main house P.A. system consists of L-Acoustic Kudo loudspeakers, flanking a center array of eight L-Acoustic SB-28 subs. L-Acoustic Kivas are used for front fills, and the far left and right areas in Access are covered by L-Acoustic Arcs. SB118 subs are deployed for dance floor fill immediately in front of the stage.
The stage monitor console is a duplicate 96-input channel Yamaha PM5D-RH with a 48 channel DSP5D expanderer required for additional inputs. AVDB provided a total of 17 L-Acoustic 115XT HiQ Stage monitors, equalized with 16-channel Klark Teknik Rapide/ DN9344E equalizers. ARC loudspeakers and Electro-voice Xi- 2181A dual 18-inch subs are being used for side fills.
Eight channels of Shure UHF-R series wireless microphones are located on stage with Beta 58 and Beta 87A heads, and a substantial microphone package is available to satisfy most riders. Microphones including AKG, Shure, Sennheiser, Neuman, Audix and C-ducer devices are all available. Direct boxes are by Klark Teknik and Whirlwind. Eight channels of Sennheiser SR3256 are available for wireless in-ear monitoring.
When the project was completed, the Access operational staff training commenced. All major equipment manufacturers, including Yamaha’s Randy Weitzel, were involved with that part of the installation project.
Sheryl Crow surprised the crowd at the VIP Grand Opening Party by taking the stage to a standing ovation of a packed house. The complete concert was broadcast to all the resort and gaming plasma screens and the Race and Sports book video projection screens. At the same time, audio was also sent to the background music and paging system head-end for resort-wide distribution.
AVDB has worked previously for Station Casino’s Ovation Theater at Green Valley Ranch and the Rocks lounge at Station’s Red Rock Resort. Aliante Station, which broke ground in Feb. 2008, is a joint venture between Station Casinos and the Greenspun Corporation.
For more information, visit www.yamahaca.com and www.avdb-group.com.
