“That was then. This is EAW.” Jeffrey Cox was definitely not understating the matter when he introduced the professional sound world to EAW’s latest landmark innovation at the recent ET Live in Las Vegas: the application of revolutionary Gunness Focusing technology to KF Series line arrays. Hundreds flocked to the EAW stage for the twice-daily demonstrations, and they weren’t disappointed. (In fact, there was a substantial number of return visitors who probably couldn’t quite believe what they heard the first time around.)
“I think that the improvements claimed by the engineering department in the performance of the KF760/730 Series were very clearly demonstrated in the real world. I was personally impressed by the naturalness, clarity, and detail in the rig,” states veteran FOH Engineer Paul Dieter, noted for his work with Jackson Browne in concert, among others, who was on hand to provide the live mix. (Each demonstration included a live performance by classic rock band Yellow Brick Road, also drawing rave reviews.)
Premium components in the EAW system included two main line arrays made up of eight KF760 elements over four KF730 compact elements – all integrated under the new Gunness Focusing processing set. (Also note that this was the initial public showing of new rigging that allows KF730′s to be flown seamlessly beneath KF760 arrays.)
The “Focused” line arrays were joined by eight new SB1000zF flyable subwoofers per side as well as several BH760 “Super Subs” lining the front of the stage. (One of the KF760/730 line array combos with the new SB1000zF flying subs is picture at left.)
On hand at the proceedings were key members of the EAW team, including the aforementioned Mr. Cox as well as Bernie Broderick, Howard Burke, Steve Kawasaki, Jamie Anderson, Rich Frembes, Dave Raneses, Scott Pizzo and Karen Anderson, who deserves kudos of the highest order as stage manager, organizer and everything in between. (Oh, and some guy claiming his name as “Dave Gunness” wandered by… Frankly, we considered calling security but ultimately decided he was harmless.)
Rather than continuing with our own hyperbole, let’s hear from a few of the folks in attendance:
“That was the most impressive demo we’ve ever heard. We were thrilled by the shear size of the rig, the band playing through it, and most of all, the sound of a Gunness Focused line array.” – Al Simetz, Triamp Group
“I have to say, and I am not in the minority, that the presentation at ET Live/LDI was absolutely first rate. Top notch, done right. EAW made the most definitive statement to the touring industry I have witnessed. The stage looked great, the rig looked better, and the sound was quite impressive… When a fine speaker rig is properly assembled, flown, powered, and processed, the results are, well, exactly what we heard. Congratulations to everybody who had a part in it. EAW really had it together for this, and looked and sounded great both on an absolute and relative level.” – John Saviano, Quest Marketing
“Any engineer who looked at my console and the overall analog system EQ could see that there was next to no corrective EQ applied by me across the system and my channel EQs were right where I would expect them to be for any given input. It’s the closest thing to a nice big set of studio monitors I’ve ever used. Congratulations, you’ve really got something here. I haven’t had that much fun mixing in a very long time, and everyone from EAW is a joy to work with. I’ll look forward to any opportunity I get to use this new generation of EAW products.”
- Paul Dieter
More of the “scene” at ET Live, clockwise from top/left image – Bernie Broderick and Paul Dieter backstage; David Hatmaker, in charge of sound for all live performance venues at Disneyland, talking with that “Dave Gunness” guy; Jamie Anderson and Curtis Flatt of Spectrum Sound at the mix position; Jeffrey Cox catching up with Alan Geer.
