Located in Hell’s Kitchen, Stage 48 is a four floor, multi-use venue that hosts concerts, a wide range of nightlife activities, and private/corporate events. Originally built in the 1950s as a horse stable, the venue has been completely remodeled and now boasts a cutting-edge sound reinforcement system drawn from the catalogue of Valencia, Spain-based D.A.S. Audio.
Mahwah, NJ-based Duran Audio served as the integration firm for Stage 48’s new sound system. Carlos Duran, owner of Duran Audio, discussed the project and his reasons for deploying a combination of D.A.S. Aero Series 2, Road, and Artec loudspeaker systems. “In addition to the main floor, Stage 48 has a large horseshoe balcony that overlooks the main floor and provides excellent site-lines of the 34ft-wide stage plus a third floor area,” explained Duran. “There are numerous VIP seating areas throughout the facility and there’s also a rooftop patio area. All of these areas needed first-rate sound coverage, so we found ourselves searching for a combination of concert level loudspeaker systems for the main stage, speakers that could provide high-quality fill throughout the venue, as well as loudspeakers suitable for outdoor applications. Given the requirements of the project, D.A.S. Audio was the perfect equipment supplier because of its diverse line of products.” The D.A.S. equipment specified by Duran includes 10 Aero 50 three-way, large-format line array systems, eight LX-218CA and four LX-215A powered subwoofers, 20 Aero 12A powered, compact line array enclosures, six Artec 26 2-way passive loudspeakers, and six Road 12A powered stage monitors. Five Lab Gruppen PLM 10000Q amplifiers drive the Artec loudspeakers while a Yamaha M7CL digital console handles mixing chores – augmented by a Lake LM 26 loudspeaker processor. The main stage is outfitted with the Aero 50 loudspeakers – five elements each to the left and right sides. The LX-218 subwoofers provide low frequency support at the stage and are further supported by two LX-215A enclosures as on-stage side fills. The Road 12A monitors reside on stage and are deployed as required by the currently performing act. The task of providing sound coverage throughout other areas of the venue is handled by the Aero 12A compact line array enclosures. These loudspeakers are positioned further back along the main floor – two enclosures per side for downfill / delay. The Aero 12As also provide delay coverage for the upstairs dance floor along with the third floor lounge area. The remaining two LX-215A subwoofers provide low end support to the upstairs lounge. Rounding out this massive system are six of the weather resistant, white fiberglass, all-weather version Artec 26 loudspeakers, which cover the rooftop patio area.
Stage 48 opened in November 2012 and since Day 1, the D.A.S. Audio sound system has been receiving rave reviews from all who encounter it. “Our client couldn’t be happier,” Duran reports. “Everything is working up to and beyond expectations and it all came in on budget, so there were no unpleasant surprises. The house engineers were trained by D.A.S. and, as a result, they have a thorough understanding of the equipment. We had many options when deciding what system to install, but no other brand gave us the peace of mind, support, and quality of the D.A.S. Audio rig. This project has been a huge success for all involved.”
