Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2026)—There have been many events around the country to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary this year, but among the most high-profile was the July 4 projection show that ran on the surface of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Providing audio and advanced projection mapping for the show was LMG.
Designed by artist and videographer Kyle Barrett, the presentation ran for six nights, displayed emblematic illustrations of the country’s past, ranging from ships crossing the Atlantic to covered wagons out West to the Empire State Building. Barco projectors driven by a Ross Vertex media server ecosystem were used for the projection mapping, while sonic accompaniment was provided via an L-Acoustics P.A. system.
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LMG Audio Systems Director Robby Schlegel reports L-Acoustics K Series arrays, with L Series arrays used as delay extensions, were used for the projection show and a number of other events at the site. The audio setup for the projection was designed using L-Acoustics Soundvision software, with the expectation that the crowds would be kept outside an oval-shaped, 600×400-foot perimeter around the obelisk—an optimum distance to enjoy the visuals. Onsite, however, it became clear that more people would be inside the oval than outside, so LMG ended up spinning some of the arrays 180 degrees, with the north and south towers facing inside toward the monument, and the larger towers on the west side covering the rest of the mall.
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The final Mall East system configurations featured main arrays of eight K1 over six K2 per side, with six KS28 subs below each main in two stacks of three, while Mall East out-fills were served by arrays of three L2 per side, with six KS28 subs below each main, also in two stacks of three.
The Mall North and South fills were identical: arrays of three L2 per side, with eight K1-SB subs below each main, in two stacks of four. The Mall East system fired facing away from the monument, flanking the Washington Monument Lodge, while the Mall North and South systems fired in toward the center, with the K1-SB subs conversely firing away from the monument.
All K Series elements were powered by LA12X amplified controllers, while LA7.16 drove all of the L2 delay components, and processing was via a pair of P1 processors.
Schlegel notes, “It went phenomenally well and we heard nothing but great responses from our client. It was one of LMG’s most innovative projects yet, and L-Acoustics speakers and software were essential to the event’s success.”
