Nov 19, 2006 2:38 PM

The world premiere of Primal Twang, a theatrical music production that highlights the legacy of the guitar, debuted at San Diego’s North Park Theatre, September 7 to 10, 2006. Rental sound company Meeting Services provided a HiQnet™ sound reinforcement system for the performance, which included the first U.S. theatrical-industry deployment of JBL Professional’s new VP (Venue Performance) Series loudspeakers, as well as the first American use of the Soundcraft Vi6 digital console.

Home to San Diego’s Lyric Opera, the North Park Theatre is a 730-seat proscenium stage venue. For this production, it needed to accommodate multimedia playback and live musical performances in styles ranging from rock to reggae, and jazz to folk, as well as flamenco, bluegrass and blues.

Multitalented musician Dan Crary served as narrator and led an all-star “Primal Twang” house band that supported the master artists, including Doc Watson, Eric Johnson, Andrew York, Mason Williams, Peter Sprague, Albert Lee and other legendary pickers.

Meeting Services provided JBL Venue Performance VP7212 DPAN and VP7315 DPAN model loudspeakers, as well as the VP7118 DPAN subwoofers to augment the venue’s existing installed JBL AM Series loudspeakers. To accommodate the unusual nature of the multifaceted, multimedia production, Meeting Services’ technical sales manager, Ken Freeman, specified a Lexicon 960 digital multichannel processor with 7.1-surround capability. The surround speakers were the VP Series featuring DPAN input modules, which include analog inputs and onboard digital signal processing technology. The DPAN input module features 100Mb Ethernet networking functionality and HiQnet compatibility.

In addition to the Lexicon 960, Soundcraft Vi6 and JBL VP Series, Meeting Services used HiQnet-compatible dbx DriveRack 4800 digital system controllers for optimizing the various zones of the sound reinforcement system and Crown MA Series power amplifiers for the JBL-loaded stage monitors.

“The new VP Series systems have smooth response and well-defined coverage for a self-powered enclosure,” says Gary Hartung, front-of-house soundmixer for Primal Twang. “They seem to be a great choice for theatrical productions where music is prominently featured. They are extremely versatile as a main P.A., surround or fill speakers."

For more information on the Harman Pro gear, visit www.harmanpro.com. For more information on Primal Twang, visit www.primaltwang.com. For more touring news, visit mixonline.com/livesound/tours/.

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