"The VLX3 arrays fly very easily and, with external amps, the load-in was a lot easier," says Grant Stramel, Sure Sound's lead system engineer. "Last year we used the self-powered Renkus-Heinz STLA/9 line array. But, with the type of weather we get here in Sturgis, when it rains it's a major advantage to simply throw a tarpaulin over a rack of amps than climb the array and cover the [integrated] amplifiers."
Comments from visiting sound engineers during the Buffalo Chip's Sturgis Rally were enthusiastic. "The high-end from the VLX3 line array was very accurate," says Greg Price, who mixed FOH for ZZ Top. "And I never ran out of headroom."
A total of 24 VLX3 cabinets were arrayed 12 left and 12 right of the stage, with four self-powered STLA/9 cabinets per side for out-fills, three PN102 cabinets for front-fills and two PN102s to cover a special VIP area. "The new VLX3 is a logical evolution of the STXLA/9, designed specifically for the touring market," offers David Rahn, Renkus-Heinz' national sales manager.
(Jim Evans)
