PERUGIA, Italy — The PA system supporting the Umbria Jazz Festival included 24 units of RCF HDL20-A for main stage, four units of HDL10-A as frontfill, 12 SUB 8006 and two of TT5-A enclosures as sidefills. An additional 13 units of NX 12-SMA were used as stage monitors, with a pair of NX 15-SMA and a SUB 8004 as drumfills — all made by RCF.
More details from RCF (www.rcf.it):
4th November Square, the historic location for the Umbria Jazz Festival, was packed with around 4000 people every night during this year’s edition. Italian and international artists performed on stage with the support of RCF’s sound reinforcement systems and Reference Laboratory’s cables, for ten consecutive days.
The PA system included 24 units of HDL20-A for main stage, four units of HDL10-A as frontfill, 12 SUB 8006 and two of TT5-A enclosures as sidefills. An additional 13 units of NX 12-SMA were used as stage monitors, with a pair of NX 15-SMA and a SUB 8004 as drumfills — all made by RCF.
The resident band Alissia & The Funketeers, whose members comprise 13 graduates from Berklee College of Music, made the whole 4th November Square dance with their explosive energy and captivating funky music at high volume. Several illustrious jazz ensembles, notable “big bands” from the US and the duo of prominent Brazilian composers, Bossa Negra, also performed on stage. In addition, 4th November Square hosted an episode of the well-know Italian music entertainment show “Webnotte” on the night of 12th July.
RCF provided this interview with stage manager Alessandro Scalamonti.
What are the requirements of the stage in 4th November Square?
“Certainly we need a system that can be easily adapted to the shifting requirements, because the festival’s line-up is rich and diversified. During the Webnotte show many different artists performed on stage — Renzo Arbore, Sugar Pie & The Candyman, Stefano Bollani, Funk Off, Paolo Fresu… That night was full of improvisation, very quick and intense for the crew! Ease of handling proved to be a strong point of the RCF monitors, which are very lightweight and have an on-board amplifier, thus reducing the time needed to prepare the stage.”
How did you find RCF’s audio system?
“The work is going well and the equipment definitely suits our needs. It provides high SPL and excellent definition, and we haven’t noticed any problems with the PA, nor with the monitors in terms of audio feedback. The monitors offer the right sound definition — very clean, and perfect for acoustic sounds and orchestras. It is a very reliable system that allows us to work serenely.”
How would you describe the system in three words?
“New. Practical. Powerful.”
FOH engineer Marco Noli was also satisfied with the RCF audio equipment, which he described as “quick, high-performance and linear”; this enabled him to use it as a plug-and-play device on a few occasions, and he found the system extremely suitable for working with several bands in quick succession on stage.
Cables also made a difference at Umbria Jazz. The “L’Ultimo Cavo” cables of Italian manufacturer Reference Laboratory were used in 4th November Square and considerably improved the dynamics and tone of voice setting, according to the stage sound engineer. An accurately set wiring system helped keep the stage “clean” and proved that high-quality cables can really make the transmission of the audio signal more accurate.
Angelo Tordini, technical manager of audio and lighting on the three outdoor stages and CEO of Reference Laboratory, states that Umbria Jazz aims at continually improving its technology. The choice of RCF audio system and Reference Laboratory cables has received very positive feedback both from the artists and the technical staff of 4th November Square.
