The MA-5002VZs are primarily called upon to drive the tour’s house system, which is comprised of 60 EAW KF760 Series line array loudspeakers and 44 BH760 subs. MA-5002VZs also power a total of 13 KF761 systems used as side- and front-fills, as well as 16 sub enclosures on stage. Additionally, six MA-36x12s are being used to power EAW SM84 stage wedges for the band, while 16 Crown MA-2402s and four MA-1202s are on hand for various other amplification needs. Notably, the MA-36x12s are all equipped with Crown’s IQ-PIP-USP2 modules, which provide necessary crossover, time alignment and compression duties for the stage monitors.
"Although we have used another manufacturer’s amplifiers faithfully for many years, we’ve recently had some concerns as to their reliability," Cain comments. "So when we were approached to do this tour, I decided that it was time to make the switch to Crown, and I can’t say enough good things about them. The Macro-Techs provide an incredible amount of throttle, which is important when you’re talking about a show like this where bass is such a key element. Plus, Crown has always had a solid reputation for delivering highly dependable products. And in the event that something should happen to one of our Macro-Techs out on the road, I know that Crown would bend over backwards to take care of us.
"When Jason Litt, our system tech for the tour, first fired up the mains and monitors with our new Crowns at rehearsal, he was amazed at how much of a difference they made. He told me, ‘Tim, these 5002s absolutely kick! This is the way it was meant to be.’ Usher is thrilled, too. I’ve heard nothing but praise from him and his people on how good the system sounds and how happy he is."
(Ruth Rossington)
