At the Grammy Awards only the PA system most chosen on tour by the world’s most popular acts would suffice: cue Cohesion. ATK Audiotek, a Clair Global brand, deployed a Cohesion system to help revel in the culmination of a year of scintillating live performances and record-breaking sales. Cohesion products, starring in their first deployment at the Grammys, delivered next-level sound while minimising the physical space of the system itself.
The Recording Academy’s biggest gala of the year deserved audio that would provide crystal-clear intelligibility at all distances within the arena while the world’s top musicians performed and distinguished winners delivered their speeches. The deployed system reinforced the power of live music during this important night for the industry.
Jeff Peterson, FOH Production Mixer at ATK Audiotek, was most excited about the added horsepower the Cohesion system provided within a compact form factor. For primary coverage, ATK arrayed 56 CO12 loudspeakers, 32 with 80° horizontal coverage and 24 with 120° horizontal coverage. The CO12 offers a maximum SPL of 150 dB, horizontal pattern control over a very broad bandwidth, precision in refining the vertical pattern, and consistent off-axis response. “I liked the directivity of Cohesion and how well it kept unwanted energy from the back of the array off of the stage,” added Peterson.
The primary delays consisted of 32 CO10 loudspeakers in four arrays of eight CO10s per array. The upper level of the arena was covered by 36 CO8 loudspeakers in six arrays of six CO8s per array.
A dozen CP218 II+ subwoofers were flown alongside the CO12s to provide a heart-pounding low end that reflected the significance of the moment. Each self-powered CP218 II+ is equipped with 9000 W of onboard power and added depth and impact to the production without compromising texture. An additional two CP218 II+ subwoofers were used on the ground at the main stage, which was also supplemented by two self-powered CP6+ point source loudspeakers for front fill.
With millions of people tuning in worldwide in addition to the thousands in attendance, camera placement was central to the system design. Since Cohesion products are engineered to deliver greater output and flawless intelligibility in a form factor comparable to or smaller than market alternatives, they fit the bill for a low-obstruction solution resulting in uninterrupted sightlines for attendees and broadcast viewers alike.
Performances at the 2024 Grammy Awards included Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Luke Combs, Burna Boy, and Travis Scott, alongside the legendary Billy Joel, celebrating 50 years of recording hits — Travis Scott and Billy Joel both tour with Cohesion systems. Peterson concluded: “The event was a resounding success. The audience, producers, and audio team were all thrilled with the quality and performance of Cohesion.”
