"Jerry Day" 2007

[johnaec]

OK - time for this year's report on the annual "Jerry Day" gig Bo does sound for, held at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park, San Francisco.

I didn't get there until almost 3pm this time, so I missed some of the early music. Workingman's Ed was playing as we arrived - I could hear the kick drum way before anything else, (which thankfully appeared to be turned down shortly thereafter!).

Sound was very good, but Bo will have to fill you in on all the equipment used. Weather was overcast this time, but that didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits!

I've posted some pics below.

First is Bo in his usual position, (FOH).
Second is Workingman's Ed.
Third is Melvin Seals and the JGB.
Fourth is one side of the stage. I'm not sure what speaker cabinets those are, but there were stacks of Lab Gruppen amps!
Last is a pic of the crowd, up towards Bo's position. The seats were empty a littl here because it was either a break or they were dancing, (it was so crowded my GF and I had to sit on the grass!).

A great time was had by all! And great sound, Bo!

John

[Mr. Widget]

Lookin' good there Bo... sorry I missed it.

Looks like you had a good turn out despite the typical SF summer weather.


Widget

[boputnam]

Hey...

Thanks for the nudge.

Tremendous day of music. The bands were all excellent, and great people to work with. A great tribute to the work of Jerry.

Jelly
Workingman's Ed
JGB Band

The weather, well, it is San Francisco in the summer... , but it is Jerry Day in San Francisco!!

The system comprised L-Acoustics ARCS (arrayed 4 per side) a-top 2 SB218 subs. I spec'd this cabinet configuration for this year - I wasn't completely happy with the mid-bass response last year. The improvement was remarkable. Coverage, as last-year, was seamless, and tonality remarkable. We used two of my 115XT's as center fills (plenty). Driveracks were xta 448's and LabGruppen amps (~40,000w total). Overall, about the perfect system for that venue. FOH and monitorworld were Yamaha PM4000 (and 4000M); we used only 7 mixes on stage. The Yammies are terrific desks - clean, tons of headroom and (again...) great tonality. They weight over 1,000-lbs in the roadcase, so getting it to FOH up that hill is a difficult challenge. Anyway... Fully parametric EQ on every strip. Outboard gear was mixed, a dozen 160A's (love these), couple 1066's (wasn't as fond of these), couple DS404's(these are OK - I prefer/am used to the response of the KT DN514+), and a dbx162 SL across the stereo buss (I like this a lot, but get by with my Drawmer 1968 just fine, and it takes only 1RU... ).

System gear came from Sound on Stage. An amazing group to work with. Two 16-ft trucks (due to access issues) and four smiling guys (systems engineer, monitor engineer, head tech and crew). I use them every chance I get...

Rental Hammond B3 (for Melvin Seals, JGB), Ampeg SVT bass rig (for Marty Holland, JGB) and DW Kit (for Dave Kemper, JGB) were provided by Studio Instrument Rentals, SF. On-time, effecient, as-promised and lightening quick on load out. Thanks, SIR!! Lastly, Generators Unlimited provided the trailer-mounted gen set (24 KW, 250 amp). I've had two gigs with GU over the past two-weeks and they are flawlessly reliable. Thank-you!

Crowd estimate was 3,500 strong. I'm guessing john's picture showed some vacant seats from people queued for the loo...

[boputnam]

...I could hear the kick drum way before anything else, (which thankfully appeared to be turned down shortly thereafter!).

Workingman's Ed had two full Kits, and one of them has two kicks (do the math... lol), so, it can get pretty punchy!

I'm guessing your arrival time was during dual drummers, and they finished their set with only the one (thus the change). As well, there could have been some coupling with the hillside during your walk in - I was told it sounded good over the hilll... :dont-know

[Mr. Widget]

I was told it sounded good over the hilll...

Widget

[boputnam]

Out of interest, are the brands L-Acoustics and d&b audiotechnik getting much exposure in the US?

The L-Acoustics are.

I myself own some, and spec them on bid requests. Just did a show with the ARCS and SB218's with excellent results...

Don't know the d&b line.

[Andyoz]

Any more photos Rich, I am trying to figure out exactly how you configured that system in that room?

Bo, the venue refurbishment we are currently working on has ARCS and SB218's as part of the spec. They have also included the 4no. dv-Sub that will sit under the ARCS. I don't really get why they are using the dv-Sub and SB218 but I'm leaving it to the experts! It a very long, narrow venue and I am glad they are going with the ARCS with their controlled dispersion pattern - anything to help keep high incident music levels off the side walls is good.

[boputnam]

I don't really get why they are using the dv-Sub

Me neither...

the dVSub is not my favorite. It has three 15" drivers firing into a manifold. It generates good bass, but I struggled to get any tonality from them. I don't know what the thinking is - they certainly cannot match the SB218 for output.

The ARCS + SB218 are a great combo, and I would think sufficient. :dont-know

Post some pics when possible.

[Andyoz]

Post some pics when possible.

Here's an output from L-Acoustics Soundvision program showing the system layout.

The venue has an under balcony area that won't be suitable for critical listening - it gives access to the Bar...very important in Ireland!!!

There's 3no. ARC's sitting on top of 2no. dv-Sub's stage left and right. The 2no. SB218's are under the stage. They are suspending 4no. 115XT's as balcony fills.

I also have screenshots of the 3D SPL mapping but it doesn't make much sense - you really need to look at the original model and rotate it around.

[boputnam]

There's 3no. ARC's sitting on top of 2no. dv-Sub's stage left and right. The 2no. SB218's are under the stage. They are suspending 4no. 115XT's as balcony fills.

Coolio...

I'd sure swap one SB218 per side for two dVsubs, myself. I don't get the two dV-subs thinking. Clearly, they know something I should!

Centered subs under the stage is fabulous plan - and, if they delay the wing subs as an array, they'll get no power alley at-all. Nice...

The 115XT's are great when used ALONE as isolated fills, but their wide dispersion (~80°) is problematic for comb-filtering in almost any array pattern. For those ceiling clusters, you might suggest they consider the 115XT "HiQ" in that instance. The HiQ's have approx. 50° dispersion. Both models are coaxial, so have nice point-source characteristics (and great inherant time-alignment).

This should be a wonderful sounding venue. A dream for any BE to encounter...

What's the desk(s) and other gear plans, do you know?

[Andyoz]

I have a suspicion the DV-Sub's how found their way in there as they are fairly new product and the contractor is keen to use them in a Dublin install. I would prefer they just doubled up on the SB218's as I find systems like the DV-Sub's to be lumpy/one-notey. They also need something to stack the ARC's on. I am suspicious and will be putting the question to them on behalf of my client (the venue owner).

And the 115XT are the HiQ version. Well spotted.

The design is a combined one done by L-Acoustics in England and the local Irish contractor. They did some trials a onth ago and I heard the L-Acoustics system with only 2no. SB218's and no DV-Subs. Sounded a bit bass light.

We actually used that system for our noise breakout tests and really gave it some stick (I had hearing protection on). The system barely broke a sweat!

The rest of the system will include compoents of the old system including the stage monitoring (budget constraints ..).

Hey, do you have copy of L-Acoustics SoundVision. I have the files but can't view them. I am relying on screenshots sent by the contractor - check out this one!!

[Andyoz]

Here's a photo of the outside of the venue. This facade is called the Wall of Fame for obvious reasons (see how many you can guess).



Here's a list of JBL gear they have pulled out and are trying to offload.

FOH SPEAKERS:
4x JBL I771 ( 2x15”+ 1x2” 60x40 HORN)
4x JBL I732 ( 1x15”+ 1x2” “ )
4x JBL P746 SUBS
ALL POWERED BY 5 JBL MPA 1200’S + 2 MPA 300’S

BALCONY DELAY CLUSTER:
2x JBL I732 + JBL P746 SUB
POWERED BY 2 JBL MPA 1200’S +1 MPA 300

[John]

Here's a photo of the outside of the venue. This facade is called the Wall of Fame for obvious reasons (see how many you can guess).

I think I can name quite a few but will only name two that I wish were still with us.

Rory Gallagher
Phil Lynott - Thin Lizzy

[buddy plant]

Very nice shindig... It looks like everyone had a high time... I can just about smell the patchouli oil... Thanks for the pics gents... nothing left to do but smile, smile smile...

[00Robin]

LOVE the Hammond B3's and Leslies's..they growl!