ST. PAUL, MN — Rat Sound and their new L’Acoustics K1 system are supporting Blink 182 on tour. The system includes 24 K1s, eight K1 subs, 24 KUDOs, 24 SB28s, eight Rat Supersubs and 12 dV-Doscs. They are powered by L’Acoustics LA8 amplifiers.
Rat Sound is one of only two vendors with a K1 system in North America during this pilot phase of the K1 system release.
Blink 182 is back on the road for the first time after a four-year hiatus. Dave Rat was chosen as the FOH engineer, this time mixing on an old school Midas XL4 with Meyer CP10 and Bss 960 EQs, a Lexicon PCM 60 and a TC-Electronics Voice Doubler as the only effects. Comps are covered by a Drawmer 1960, a pair of BSS DPR404s and a pair of Aphex Expressors. Helping Rat at FOH is tech Jim Lockyer and system techs Roz Jones and Robert Lightner.
For this tour Rat chose a different setup than the system he used for the Red Hot Chili Peppers world tour two years earlier. This time, instead of double L-Acoustics V-Dosc systems, he is using the L-Acoustics K1. A strength of this system, aside from the significant jump in clarity, is that it can pump enough low end from the main hangs to make the subs almost optional.
Steve Walsh is handling monitor duties for the band with Manny Barajas as monitor tech. He is using Yamaha PM5D-driven Sennheiser G2s for PMs, augmented by a pair of Rat Supersubs on drums, four flown KUDOs and a Rat Supersub per side for sidefill. EAW MicroWedge 12s provide wedge mixes for support acts.
Rat Sound is also fielding two new subwoofer configurations, the Vortex and Slotfire configurations, noting that these setups allow for increased control and coverage.
The Vortex consists of four stacks of three SB28s, set up in a square. By utilizing time offsets, increased LF coverage to the sides of arenas can be achieved while reducing power alley.
The Slotfire consist of four stacks of three SB28s set up in pairs that face each other and are spaced by 1/3 wavelength at 45 hz. Adding delay to the outside pairs increases coverage to the sides of the venue.
Both setups offer cardioid type rejection, reducing sub woofer energy levels on stage.
The 10-week tour features Blink 182 playing in various sized venues across the U.S. and Canada with rotating acts Weezer, Panic at the Disco, Chester French and Fall Out Boy.
For more Information, please visit www.ratsound.com and www.l-acoustics.com.
