O LE R E D AMERIC AS
LAS VEGAS / USA
T h e s i xth loc ation of popula r re staurant c h a i n ope ra te d by O P RY Ente rta inme nt G r o u p o pe ns in Sin City with a n AVL syste m t o c ate r f or live music , and lots more .
The opening of Ole Red in Las Vegas was exceptionally well-timed; in its first month of operation, it hosted an impromptu visit from its inspiration, country music star and Clair Global touring client Blake Shelton and his wife, co-performer Gwen Stefani, who played a surprise show over the Super Bowl weekend. It’s a testament to the AVL design and installation by Clair Global Integration that the venue was completed on time and ready for highprofile touring artists to take the stage. Situated in the heart of the strip, on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo Rd, the Las Vegas Ole Red’s AVL system is markedly different to the five previous locations due to it being a slightly larger venue, and a wide array of equipment is used across its four floors of entertainment space. The 27,000 sq ft venue features an L-Acoustics sound reinforcement system, a full package of Sennheiser mics and wireless systems, and control from DiGiCo and Allen & Heath desks. The entertainment lighting consists of myriad CHAUVET Professional and Elation fixtures controlled by two MA Lighting desks, while a huge 40ft LED screen forms the focal point behind the stage, which was designed and installed by Trust Fall Production Group. At the heart of the decisions on the equipment was familiarity, budget and effectiveness, with Joe Anderson, Lead Engineer for Clair Global Integration on the project, taking up the story. “Our scope was the design and build of the whole AVL system, that encompasses the lighting fixtures and control, audio systems and control, and video processing,” he said. “A lot of the decisions were made on both cost and familiarity, because the venue hosts a lot touring acts who have their own techs
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– so equipment that they will be comfortable with was also a big consideration. “Clair Global Integration has designed the AVL systems in previous Ole Red locations, so we knew the kind of things they want to achieve within the venue, and what’s needed to accomplish that. In that sense we have it well dialled in, and we worked closely with Andy Roy, Tech Services Assistant Director for OPRY Entertainment Group, to ensure all the needs were met.” Audio When it came to the audio package for the venue, Anderson decided on an L-Acoustics system comprised of A 15i and A 10i loudspeakers, KS21i subs and many fill speakers, and with that came the need for a DiGiCo Quantum 225 desk. “I chose a configuration of L-Acoustics loudspeakers for the venue for a number of reasons, the biggest of which was because it fit the venue the best,” confirmed Anderson. “The A 15i system, as far as the main array goes, fits the shape of the venue – because it is a different style of room with very little depth, and is quite tall. So we did not need a lot of throw, but we needed good, consistent spread, and a lot of high output and good punch. “To get that level of vertical spread with a typical line-array would have needed a lot more boxes – which would not have been an efficient use of space and money. An A 15i system gave us the vertical spread we needed, with three A 15i focus and one A 15i wide per side, and behind them are four KS21i per side, with three KS28 subs on the floor,” continued Anderson. “There are a slew of fill speakers inside, with a ring of five A 10i