Home to the NBA’s Miami Heat basketball team, the AmericanAirlines Arena also serves as a leading venue for concerts and other attractions. The facility recently upgraded its sound reinforcement throughout and, with DAS Audio systems already in use inside the arena, an Aero Series 2 and Road loudspeakers have been added.
Director of Broadcast Services, Dave Vickery, and Manager of Sound, Jorge Arronte, were tasked with designing, installing and overseeing the use of the various audio and video systems at AmericanAirlines Arena. After evaluating the requirements of the Xfinity East Plaza project, they chose DAS Audio’s flagship Aero 50 three-way line array elements, LX-218CR high powered subwoofers, Road Series 12A and 15A stage monitors, and WR-6415 point source loudspeakers.
‘We use the space for a wide variety of events, including corporate meetings, live concerts, DJ performances, and Miami Heat Road Rallies (away game LED viewer events to keep fans engaged), Arronte says. ‘In years past, we rented sound systems to accommodate large events, but with the addition of the new roofing structure over the East Plaza, we felt it was the right time to invest in a quality concert size loudspeaker setup. The sound system is located outdoors under a large solar canopy. Distributed throughout the space are multiple delay speakers mounted to the surrounding columns – adding a full body sound that complements the main cluster loudspeaker array.
‘For our main system, we flew four Aero 50s coupled with a single LX-218CR sub for the left and right sides,’ he continues. ‘Our delay system loudspeakers – 34 WR-6415 enclosures – are mounted with custom stainless steel compression bands to the columns that DAS engineers in Spain developed for us to ensure the proper loudspeaker angle given the elevation of the structural columns. Completing the setup, we have two Road 15A and eight Road 12A powered stage monitors. Lab.gruppen PLM 12K44 power amps with Lake DSP and Dante audio networking drive the system.
‘For our location, which includes low ceiling, long throw, and a limited ability to incorporate multiple subs due to the height limits, the Aero 50 and LX-218CR combination was the right choice. The quality, even at low levels, is impeccable and transparent, enabling even the softest sound to be heard clearly.’
According to Dave Vickery, the project had its share of challenges: ‘This installation was not easy as anticipated,’ he reports. ‘We encountered major construction delays that set back the deployment of the entire A/V system by three months. After construction, our department had only two weeks to install the entire system, including programming of the Dante network that delivers the audio signal from the Arena Broadcast Control room.’
DAS Audio support services also played an integral role in the project, as Arronte reveals: ‘The DAS engineering group in Spain helped develop the correct sound pressure and placement of the entire Xfinity East plaza speaker system. Equally noteworthy, they were available to us for any changes or concerns we encountered during the plaza construction. We’ve always had a great relationship with DAS and this project was no exception. From the sales and technical folks in Miami, all the way to the engineers in Spain, we shared a vision and recognized the obstacles involved in this project and, together, achieved an amazing sounding space.’
Following its installation, the DAS equipment has been well received: ‘We’ve used it for everything from kids track acts and rock bands to Flo Rida concerts,’ says Arronte. ‘Every time, I’m impressed with the clear, smooth sound I hear. I can’t imagine another choice for this job.’
‘We’ve only begun to experience the ability of our new loudspeaker set-up,’ Vickery says. ‘Our future plans continue with DAS, as we look to upgrade the main American Airlines Arena Bowl Speaker Arrays and the new Heat Café that will be under construction this summer, 2016.’
More: www.dasaudio.com
