PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 16, 2016 – Currently in the midst of a five-month tour that will span the United States, EDM artist Brillz is bringing his unique brand of hip-hop/EDM to tens of thousands of enthusiastic dance music fans. Brillz’ Twonk Di Nation Tour features an all-star lineup, with rising festival trap artist Party Favor appearing on all dates and a rotating cast of support artists that includes Jackal, DOTCOM, Ghastly, LAXX, Kayzo, Party Thieves, Willy Joy, Y2K, Aryay, Dr. Fresch, and Infuze. The tour is carrying a VUE Audiotechnik monitor system supplied by Zeo Brothers Productions for use in the DJ Booth at all venues to help eliminate sound delay for the artists.
“The monitor system is used in conjunction with various venue front-of-house systems,” says Dan Zeo, vice president, The Zeo Group. “We are traveling with a stereo monitor rig for the DJs consisting of eight VUE al-4s and four al-8SB subwoofers.” Carrying the monitor gear ensures that the DJs have a powerful, consistent experience each night.
“We configure the al-4s on fly bars, four per side, and the al-8SB subs, two per side ground-stacked, set a few feet to the sides of the DJ booth just past our LED wall,” explains Zeo.
Multi-tasking as the tour and production manager, the tireless Jim Feeney also wears the hat of system tech while tuning the monitor system and the main FOH system each day to ensure the performance is at its peak each night. Feeney is a seasoned touring audio engineer with experience at both FOH and monitors, having mixed for 50 Cent, The Pretenders, Joe Henry, Puff Daddy and Lamb of God, just to name a few. Once the monitors are tuned to his liking, the DJ’s have full control of the show via the “booth output control” on their Pioneer DJM-900 NXS mixer.
VUE’s al-4 Subcompact Line Array System features dual 4-inch Kevlar woofers and can deliver a frequency response down to 95Hz +/- 2.5 dB in this configuration. Its one-inch exit compression driver employs VUE’s proprietary Truextent® beryllium diaphragm, which enables the driver to achieve dramatic improvements in high-frequency response and linearity. Weighing in at a slight 18 pounds per cabinet, each al-4 produces a coverage pattern of 90 degrees horizontal x 10 degrees vertical — enabling the monitor system’s acoustic output to remain focused on the DJ booth.
The single 18-inch al-8SB Flyable Subwoofer System is constructed from top-quality birch plywood and coated in a durable twelve-step Dura-Coat LX finish that stands up to tour use. Extensive interior bracing ensures resonant-free low-frequency performance down to 36Hz +/- 2.5 dB, and the al-8SB is as effective being rigged and flown as it is ground-stacked.
Given the logistics of a national, multi-artist tour it’s critical that gear can be setup quickly and efficiently, and the VUE monitor system is making life easier for the techs on the Twonk Di Nation Tour. “I love how easy it is to get the system built and running each day,” says Spencer Smith, tour stage manager and backline tech. “When touring day in and day out, it’s always nice to know that you don’t have to worry about the monitor rig.”
“I was very impressed by the amount of clarity and punch the al-4s provide in such a small box, and they work great in conjunction with the al-8SB subs,” says Feeney. “They hit hard and low enough that the DJs could feel the bass-heavy tunes with clarity and ease.”
Phil Zeo, president, The Zeo Group, shares Feeney’s sentiment: “The al-4s have unbelievable volume and clarity in such a small package.”
Brillz’ Twonk Di Nation Tour will continue with dates at least into mid-March 2016. For more information visit www.twonkdination.com. For some live video please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbpHqj4yOWk.
About VUE Audiotechnik
With an unflinching focus on innovation through technology and a firm commitment to relationships, the VUE Audiotechnik team united in 2012. With more than a century of combined experience, VUE’s founders have been at the epicenter of many of professional audio’s most noted success stories. From visionary loudspeaker designs that set the tone for our industry today, to the development of the giants in modern sound reinforcement, the team’s work has been felt and heard throughout the spectrum of professional audio. Since inception, VUE has experienced immediate acceptance and unparalleled growth. Though a relatively new addition to the lineup of professional audio loudspeaker manufacturers, VUE is already recognized as a leader in innovation. Explore our success stories at www.vueaudio.com.
