“The Warfield.” That’s all you need to say in touring circles. Like “The Garden” in New York, these venerable venues are known by their nicknames, like old friends. And just like the artists that grace its stage, the Warfield Theatre, which opened in San Francisco in 1922, has worked at staying at the top of its game. That ethos was reinforced yet again this past July when the AEG Presents-affiliated venue installed its new sound system, L-Acoustics L Series, designed and integrated by Petaluma-based UltraSound, in conjunction with Certified Partner distributor Rat Sound Systems.
This is the first time in 17 years that the 2,300-seat theater has refreshed its live sound. UltraSound Director of Operations Josh Osmond says the L2/L2D and other L-Acoustics components were chosen based on sonic quality as well as their thorough coverage capabilities, assuring great sound in every part of the venue. “We’ve been putting sound systems into the Warfield since the 1980s, so we know the room very, very well,” he says. “And I can say that this is the best this space has ever sounded.”
What patrons experience there now is a system comprising three L-Acoustics L2 over one L2D per side, with a single A15i Wide flown as a central front-fill. The L Series arrays are supported by six KS28 subs per side, flown in a cardioid configuration and hung behind each main array, plus four more KS28 per side, configured in two stacks of two directly below. Between them, dotting the lip of the stage, are four low-profile Kiva II deployed as front-fills.
Underbalcony seating is addressed via five A15i Wide loudspeakers spread out and individually mounted to the ceiling. And anyone in the lobbies during shows won’t miss a note, thanks to a pair of coaxial X12 on the lower level and a pair of X8i on the upper floor. The entire setup is powered by LA7.16i amplified controllers driving the L2/L2D arrays, LA12X that drive the subs and underbalcony fills, and LA4X that power the front-fills and lobby reinforcement systems.
“Every seat in the house is now completely covered,” says Osmond, who, in addition to his role at UltraSound, serves as front-of-house engineer for both the Lumineers and John Legend.
“Sonically, it’s a traditional theater, with the typical challenges a steep balcony presents. You need to cover up to the top of the balcony with consistent coverage all the way to the back, while also making sure you’re covering underneath, so you don’t have any ‘shadows’ under there.”
One of the bigger challenges, he explains, is achieving uniform low-frequency control from the floor to the back of the balcony. “L Series gave us just that. It’s very directional, so it’s not bouncing off the walls; it’s really focused specifically on where it needs to cover. In conjunction with the flown subs behind the main arrays as well as the ground subs, it delivers a consistent target curve from the back of the room to the front of the house. There is simply no bad seat anywhere.”
Although the main L2/L2D arrays are the obvious stars of the show, Osmond also praises the A15i Wide enclosures for their specific roles. “When you’re under the balcony, you’re essentially trying to extend the coverage of those main arrays,” Osmond explains. “You want to keep the tonal qualities and characteristics consistent, which definitely came into play in deciding the right product for the under-balcony areas. As you get into the front-fill locations, you’re bringing more vocal intelligibility to the very first few rows—the seating area where the main arrays don’t quite wrap down.”
The five A15i units provide everything the under-balcony needs, while the center A15i Wide plus four Kiva II front-fills add coverage to that critical barricade line the main arrays can’t quite reach. “Every speaker has a specific job to do here,” Osmond notes, “and each one performs it perfectly.”
Not surprisingly, artists passing through the Warfield since the new L-Acoustics system was installed have noticed the change, starting with Nigerian-American Afrobeat artist Davido and Americana darlings The Red Clay Strays, the first two touring artists to experience it. “Both of them were very impressed with the sound of the system and the room, and commented on it,” says Matt Albrecht, General Manager at the Warfield Theatre. “That kind of diversity was a great kick-start for the new system and reflects how it can handle any kind of music. Everyone who’s heard it now comments on the clarity of the sound, and how it stays clear even as the volume increases. ‘Loud and clear’ is a great way to describe it—the sound, even for the loudest shows, feels clean and controlled.
“L-Acoustics L2 is a great amenity for the artists who play here, and it helps further set us apart when it comes to attracting those artists.”
For more details on the Warfield Theatre, visit www.thewarfieldtheatre.com. UltraSound and Rat Sound Systems can be found online at www.ultrasound.audio and www.ratsound.com.
Please visit L-Acoustics at www.l-acoustics.com.
