SAN FRANCISCO – Michael Lacina of JK Sound and Don Lynch of Commercial Audio Video Solutions (CAVS) provided a d&b audiotechnik sound system for San Francisco’s 1015 Folsom nightclub, a venue with a 35-year legacy. The new system pairs A-Series ALi60 augmented arrays with V-Series Vi-GSUB subwoofers.
More details from d&b audiotechnik (www.dbaudio.com):
1015 Folsom nightclub, a legendary San Francisco venue with over thirty-five years of operation, recently underwent significant modernization including upgrading their decades old sound system. The venue tapped Michael Lacina of JK Sound, a long-time audio provider for the club, who collaborated with fellow integrator, Don Lynch of Commercial Audio Video Solutions (CAVS), who together, deployed a d&b audiotechnik system featuring install variant A-Series ALi60 augmented arrays paired with V-Series Vi-GSUB subwoofers.
“1015 Folsom is one of the longest running, continuously operating dance clubs in the US, and the story of this install goes back even further,” said JK Sound’s president and founder, Michael Lacina. “I met Ira Sandler, 1015 Folsom’s owner in 1983 when he contacted me to provide sound for a party at the Art Institute of San Francisco featuring Romeo Void. Ira loved our sound system, and Ira’s dance parties kept growing, as did our sound reinforcement capabilities, so we kept working together. Ira eventually wanted a permanent home for his events and bought Das Klub, which he renamed to 1015 Folsom in 1989. At that time, we replaced the club’s sound system and have had a hand in almost every sound system in the club ever since.”
“The principal objectives of 1015 Folsom was to overhaul the audio experience for clubgoers with contemporary, efficient loudspeakers and amplification, and a rider-friendly system that meets touring artists expectations,” commented Commercial Audio Video Solution’s founder, Don Lynch. “Since the last system was installed, there’s been significant residential development around the venue, and the new system needed to minimize noise escaping from the club. A d&b A-Series system with single-channel cardioid V-Series subwoofers was the logical choice, as it offered the desired SPLs and coverage needed, plus it provided tight pattern control to reduce the impact on the neighborhood…all while remaining cost-effective.”
In the main room, the installed sound system is comprised of four corner-mounted A-Series arrays, flown as three-per side, horizontal clusters. These are complemented by eight Vi-GSUB subwoofers positioned under the stage. “The mid-bass response of the A-Series and low-frequency impact of the Vi-GSUBs, combined together to deliver an optimal dance floor experience,” said Lynch. Eight xS-Series 10S-D loudspeakers were strategically placed in the mezzanine and bar areas to ensure consistent coverage throughout the venue. On stage and DJ booth monitoring is provided through up to four M4 stage monitors positioned over Vi-GSUB subwoofers that can be configured as needed. The entire system is efficiently powered with five 40D and one 10D amplifiers. The system’s overall design allows for flexibility, accommodating potential reconfigurations of the room orientation and it is d&b Soundscape-ready, allowing for future auditory enhancements.
When explaining their approach to mitigating noise concerns, Lynch stated, “We dedicated considerable effort to managing sound propagation, relying heavily on the cardioid behavior of the V-SUBs and the directional characteristics of the horizontal A-Series arrays to minimize noise spill beyond the venue’s boundaries and between its various spaces.”
The 1015 Folsom installation was also notable for having a minimal impact on the venue’s schedule. “Don Lynch and I engaged in a cooperative effort, leveraging our collective expertise to implement a system design that would fulfill the venue’s requirements and could be installed in record time,” commented Lacina. Lynch adds, “The efficiency of the d&b hardware with its integrated rigging and superb documentation, significantly streamlined deployment. The entire main room installation was started by a team of four on Monday and completed on Thursday, allowing the venue to reopen that evening as scheduled to everyone’s delight.”
Since the installation, numerous EDM, house, and hip-hop artists have performed at the venue including Polo & Pan, Curren$y, Peaches, Tokimonsta, DJ Shadow, Nina Kraviz, and Azealia Banks, among others. The results of the d&b audiotechnik system have been overwhelmingly positive.
Marcus Garcia, Production Manager at 1015 Folsom, stated, “The feedback from the performers about our new d&b system has been exceptional with frequent mentions of its clarity and power.” Lynch adds, “Possibly more telling is the reaction from touring engineers who come through the venue and ask about the specifications. I view the recognition and acceptance of d&b audiotechnik systems within the live sound community as a significant advantage for 1015 Folsom. Their new sound system offers wide rider acceptance with no artist refusing to play through it.”
Cassidy Garcia, Assistant Production Manager at 1015 Folsom, concludes, “The implementation of our new d&b audiotechnik system has transformed our venue, making it significantly easier to produce high-quality shows.”
When asked why CAVS continues to install and recommend d&b audiotechnik, Lynch affirmed, “This is easy to answer. Performance aside, d&b audiotechnik is the best value on the market. The value in the after sales support and warranty that you get with d&b is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen in the industry.”
This collaboration between JK Sound and CAVS, who have traditionally been competitors, highlights a notable synergy in the industry. By combining their respective strengths and the superior quality of d&b audiotechnik products, they’ve empowered 1015 Folsom to continue its legacy as one of San Francico’s premier destinations for live music and entertainment.
About the System Configuration
The d&b audiotechnik audio system installed in 1015 Folsom by JK Sound and Commercial Audio Video Solutions included: 12 x A-Series ALi60 flown as four corner-mounted, 3 per side, horizontal clusters, complimented by 8 x Vi-GSUB positioned under the stage in the main room. 8x xSeries 10S-D were used in the mezzanine and bar areas. 4x M4 stage monitors are paired with Vi-GSUB for on stage and DJ booth monitoring. The system is powered by 5x 40D and 1x 10D amplifiers.
