For several years, Berlin-based rental company artecom Veranstaltungs GmbH has favoured Nexo systems for this event, which involves long throws over the 1.5 km 'party mile', very large crowds and extensive networking demands. To ring in 2014, artecom chose to put Nexo's new modular line array, the STM Series, onto the main stage at Platz de 18.Marz in front of the Brandenburg Gate, using Nexo geo D and Geo S systems for the other two stages and for delays.
Twenty four sets of Nexo STM were used for the main stage PA, comprising 24x M46 Main and 24x B112 Bass cabinets flown left and right, with 24x S118 subs groundstacked below. Side and stage fills were Geo S805 and Alpha cabinets, and a full monitor system of Nexo PS15s was on stage.
This mainstage PA was accessed over an EtherSound network, with a secondary ES network for all the delay lines. Inputs for the showmixer were implemented via Yamaha AD8HR converters and Auvitran EtherSound mini-YGDAI cards over a third ES network. All these different networks were consolidated in a common Gigabit network, using fibreglass connections (to meet the requirement for redundant ducting) to cover the distances of up to 400 metres between devices. All the ES networks were controlled from front-of-house.
The largest part of the million-strong crowd gathered in front of the main stage to hear national and international acts like Scooter, die Hermes House Band, Matthias Reim, Adel Tawil, Heino, Frida Gold, Nick Howard and Santiano. Under the planning and technical direction of Johannes Raack, the front-of-house team for the main stage included Norbert Bund, system tech for STM, Alexander Garn mixing FOH and Peter Sobisiak on networks, backed up by Rolf Hacker and Andreas Tessmann on monitors.
The rest of Berlin party-town was a showcase for Nexo, with well over 200 cabinets in use on other stages and in delay towers.
(Jim Evans)
