Once again, our Estonian distribution partners Heliart have put together a great rig for yet another music festival. Rock Ramp covers a range of genres from hip hop to heavy metal, so flexibility was a key, particularly with the stage monitors. More on that in a minute…

Even though this was a good-sized, rock-oriented event, Heliart chose to go with the compact NTL720 self-powered, three-way line array system. At just 7 modules per side, this array still packed a serious punch. Rain threatened throughout the day, so the main arrays had Under Cover covers to protect them. Fill systems included the VFR129 and JFL210.

For main subs, Heliart used the trusted SB1000 in a cardioid arrangement. Because the stage was tall enough to fit a 2-high stack of SB1000 underneath, they were able to put a stack well behind the main stack. With appropriate distance and delay, this produced exceptional low end in the audience area and cancellation on the stage.

For monitors, Heliart used the MW12 Microwedges. Because they had so many different kinds of acts in the festival setting, they used…

An NLT720 weighs less than 50 lbs (22.25 kg), but a mere 7 per side provided by EAW’s Estonian distribution partner Heliart proved plenty heavy enough for the Rabarock Festival in the city of Järvakandi in the Baltic republic. The annual event features local Estonian heavy metal acts as well as bands from across Europe.

These videos of Estonian band Metsatöll show a little bit of the madness.

The system included NTL720 mains, SB2001 main subs and MW12 Microwedges, plus JFL210 front fills and JFL210 side fills supplemented  with VFS250 side fill subs. All of it was controlled with UX8800 signal processors, and to get maximum performance from the Microwedge monitors, Heliart powered them bi-amplified, using the “White” DSP settings. Heliart chose the White setting to cut through the high on-stage levels common with heavy metal bands.

Microwedge active processing allows three options for processing created with our development partner Dave Rat of Rat Sound:

• White - As Dave says, “EAW lab coat white – pure and unadulterated”
• Grey – Rolled off slightly at the top for a little less edge
• Blue – Dave Rat’s “blue-collar…
  continue reading »