Kravitz’ FOH engineer Dave Natale sought a powerful sound system for the tour, but one which would also fit into one truck. After careful deliberation, he specified JBL’s VerTec system, complete with the new VT4880 subwoofers, which became available just in time for the tour. The VerTec system was first supplied by Sound Image, who then contacted Crystal Sound, one of the largest VerTec stockists in Europe, to source the system for the European leg. "JBL’s worldwide VerTec user group list enables touring engineers to source supplemental equipment worldwide," says Natale.
As at the recent Wembley Arena concert, the Kravitz tour is using main arrays of VT4889 enclosures up to 18 boxes deep. A further hang of four VerTec VT4889s is often used for ‘outfills’, upstage of the main arrays - as most of the arena venues are sold 270 degrees. Then there’s the sub-bass element - 16 cabinets per side - which forms a potent but highly controllable system for Kravitz’s sound. Mixing for Kravitz is a demanding brief. "Lenny knows exactly what he wants, he has a vast technical knowledge and understands precisely how engineers work," explains Natale.
The gigs have varied widely throughout Europe. In the more ‘dead’ rooms they have needed the system’s high output power capability to fill the venue; Natale adds that the expedient size and weight of the VT4889 line array elements and the VT4880 subwoofers has enabled him to fit the whole rig into venues where he would have to compromise with another line array system.
He’s driving the Kravitz system with Crown MA-5002vz amplifiers, using BSS Omnidrives for control. The FOH console is a Yamaha PM4000, and he’s using 40 mono and 12 stereo input channels. Natale is impressed by the VT4880 subwoofers. Each contains two Neodymium-magnet 18" drivers with dual voice coils, and can be flown via the same rigging system as the full-range VT4889s. The VT4880 is also good for ground-stacking as required. "I want to be able to run it really loud with no distortion," states Natale, "And JBL’s VerTec certainly does the business. Without question - this system rocks!"
(Ruth Rossington)
