MIAMI – The Stage, a performance venue that opened Jan. 7, offers music ranging from R&B to jazz to pop/rock and even some New Age. Interface Sound designed and installed the sound system in the space, which had been converted from warehouse space, for the three bands per night that perform, opting for a system based on D.A.S. Audio gear.
Ralph Alvarez, Interface Sound's owner/operator and designer of the sound system, talked about how he settled on D.A.S. Avant, Variant, DR, and Aero Series 2 loudspeakers.
"The Stage is an area roughly 3,500 square feet with a stage positioned along the back wall of the space." Alvarez said. "Because the venue has a wide range of music performances, we needed a loudspeaker system with the ability to accommodate jazz performers while being just as capable of handling the extra SPL requirements when there's dancing. For this reason, I decided to create a system with multiple zones that could easily be switched on or off to best adapt to the music of the moment."
The primary loudspeaker system at the venue consists of six D.A.S. Audio Aero 8A ultra compact, powered, 2-way line array elements, which are flown with three modules on each side of the stage. Three LX-215A self-powered subwoofers, discreetly positioned underneath the stage in a recessed cubicle, provide low end accompaniment. Two D.A.S. SML-15A stage monitors handle monitoring chores for the performers.
To provide fill for those times when the dance floor area is in use, the Interface Sound crew positioned two D.A.S. Avant 118A powered horn-bass subwoofers in front of the stage that face down over the dance floor. Similarly, there are two Avant 15A powered, compact full-range loudspeakers located at the opposite end of the dance floor – against the wall – that are angled downward. Both sets of loudspeakers are on switches that enable the house sound engineer to enable/disable this zone as required.
The VIP area, which is located to stage right, consists of another zone. Here, the Interface Sound crew deployed two D.A.S. Variant 25A powered, mid-high array elements plus a single Avant 18A powered subwoofer. Additionally, the outside terrace is yet another zone. Coverage throughout this area is provided by two D.A.S. DR-8 ultra-compact, 2-way polypropylene loudspeaker enclosures that are specifically designed to withstand the elements. As with the dance floor area, these zones can be enabled/disabled are required.
"With the exception of the DR-8 loudspeakers on the patio, the rest of the equipment is all self-powered," Alvarez noted. "This was a huge factor during the design phase of this project, as we really didn't want, or for that matter, have the space for, a separate rack full of power amps. By going with self-powered loudspeakers, we were able to minimize electrical installation costs while at the same time ensuring the loudspeakers had amps that were properly matched and optimized for each type of enclosure."
Alvarez credited the D.A.S. Aero 8As for "amazing clarity and range," in part, on "the fact that the power amps are so well matched to the transducers."
"The DAS Audio sound reinforcement system provides even coverage throughout the space, it's extremely musical, and the fact that the various zones can be switched on or off as needed adds tremendous versatility," he continued. "In the short time the venue has been open; we've received high praise for the versatility of the sound system. The musicians love it, the SPL levels on the dance floor are just right to keep the crowd engaged, and most importantly, our client is thrilled. I couldn't be happier with the way everything turned out."
For more information, please visit www.dasaudio.com, www.thestagemiami.com and www.interfacesound.com.
