With over 40 years of experience working with touring artists and bands, Sound Image Productions and General Manager, George Edwards knows what it takes to ‘rock the house’. When Maroon 5 recently took the stage at Oracle Stadium, Edwards turned to the Anya 3-way Full-range ADAPTive Array with SB2001 subwoofers from Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) to deliver sound reinforcement.
Sound Image Productions is no stranger to providing turnkey concert production services and Maroon 5’s show at the Oracle was no different. The team was tasked with putting the entire show together, in two weeks’ time, with three days to load in and build it. With a crew of 120 people working 72 hours straight, Edwards and his team were responsible for everything including the sound system, lights, video, stage, roof, barricade and even catering.
“We have been using EAW’s ADAPTive PA system for quite a while,” said Edwards. “From the time we first heard the Anya, we have been believers and try to use it whenever possible as we know it will deliver amazing results, as was the case with the Maroon 5 show. Our crew is as good as it gets and was able to rig up 24 Anya boxes in 90 minutes, which was critical since we were under such a time crunch to get everything done before the concert started.”
In total, Sound Image Productions relied on 24 EAW Anya loudspeakers and 24 SB2001 subwoofers for the concert. “In addition to sounding amazing, the Anya system is fast and reliable,” added Edwards. “We don’t have to utilise delays with it and EAW’s Resolution software allows us to focus the audio wherever we need to within the space.”
EAW’s Anya is a self-contained sound reinforcement system that adapts all performance parameters electronically, allowing it to be used in virtually any application. Columns of Anya modules hang straight, without any vertical splay, and Resolution 2 software adjusts total system performance to produce asymmetrical output that delivers coherent, full-frequency range response across the coverage area as defined by the user. Each Anya module includes 22 transducers that are powered and processed independently to provide high resolution and control.
“One of the things I really like about the Anya speaker is that there are little to no rear reflections coming off the box,” said Edwards. “The volume of the box from standing right in front of it all the way to the mix position is completely even. If you have a dead spot in a stadium like a walkway, you can direct it with a couple of keystrokes right into that walkway or if you have too much going in you can shade it out. The box is great for noise mitigation, long throw applications, quick deployment and it sounds amazing. The Anya’s second-generation engines, caster plates and new on-ramp system are simply unbelievable. EAW once again delivered in a big way.”