The 11 April concert at Velez Sarsfield Stadium drew a sell-out crowd of 40,000 people. To meet Stewart's concert rider specifications, B.A.L.S. used a total of 52 VerTec line array enclosures. The main left/right arrays featured 14 VT4889-1 full-size line array elements per side, with 12 VT4889-1 elements per side for out fill arrays. For additional low-frequency output, B.A.L.S. used both stacked and flown subwoofers - a total of 32 enclosures - to complement the full-range VerTec system. JBL's new VerTec V4 DSP presets were used.
JBL's new VT4889-1 full-size line array loudspeaker offers all of the performance and high-output advantages of the original VT4889, in a more affordable enclosure constructed from JBL's exclusive PlyMax engineered-wood material. It is acoustically and mechanically compatible with JBL's VT4889 full-size line array loudspeaker.
"The system provided very clear sound, with a good, punchy presence," noted Federico Sainz, Chief Engineer for B.A.L.S. "Both of Rod Stewart's engineers, the FOH mixer and the system engineer, were very satisfied. I think the VerTec rig gave us a great performance. We had good intelligibility all the way to the very last rows of the stadium seating [more than 100m from the stage]. We did have signal-delayed arrays set up in the rear as requested by the touring production, but those ended up being used at only 50 percent of the anticipated level."
David Scheirman, vice-president, Tour Sound for JBL Professional, says that B.A.L.S. has proven its ability to serve the most high-profile and demanding international touring acts. "Stadium rock shows can place great demands on a concert sound team, and Buenos Aires Live Show has established both the audio system inventory and the technical processes and practices needed to succeed in this environment."
(Lee Baldock)
