Area15 achieves immersive sound system with Meyer Sound

Spacemap Go sound design has been used in The Portal attraction, as well as 12 Ultra-X42 speakers in a 3-grid pattern×4.

Area 15 It's the new arts and entertainment district, located near Las Vegas Strip, where visitors must expect the unexpected.

Inside of 60.960 square meters houses a collection of themed retail and entertainment options, all surrounded by an air of cosmic mystery. One of its main attractions is The Portal where, behind imposing metal doors, Visitors can immerse themselves in a video projection experience of 360 grades supported by immersive audio, enabled by the new Spacemap Go sound design Meyer Sound and the live mix tool.

This space of more than two thousand square meters was initially conceived to hold meetings and events., in an attempt to compete with the elegant ballrooms of Las Vegas Strip hotels, while offering its own atmosphere.

To this end, Projection systems are designed for four-wall coverage allowing immersive video for the entire space or for one or two walls, when the room is subdivided into smaller spaces.

“When we originally designed the audio systems for The Portal, Our goal was to provide a very high quality ceiling system with great flexibility to adapt to different room configurations., in addition to offering surround sound 5.1 for cinema projections and function as a delay system for a main front PA”, dice Aaron Beck, business development executive and senior engineer Solotech vegas, the systems integrator. “Dynamic and immersive sound was not part of the original plan. It came as a free bonus with last year's introduction of Spacemap Go”.

The opening of Area15 was delayed due to the pandemic, and when it was finally admitted to the public, the total number had to be limited to approximately 25% of the capacity. That put most meetings and events out of the picture..

Fortunately, with a boost from Spacemap Go, The Portal was transformed into an immersive experience where visitors could stay away in the spacious room.

“When Steve Ellison of Meyer Sound first introduced me to Spacemap Go, "I didn't understand it at all.", admite David Johngrass, Area15 production manager. “I thought I could do the same with our digital console. But he pointed out that you would have to do things like bounce a new track and then put it back into the program file. But with Spacemap Go I was able to do it on the fly, in real time”.

Some basic spatial sound paths were incorporated into the first experience in The Portal, Galleries 360, a light and sound display 30 minutes by digital artists Darpan and Max Cooper.

“We've just scratched the surface with Spacemap Go”, dice Johngrass. “But over the next few months, as we move towards full reopening, We will use it in a big way as we start producing more stage shows where we can fully utilize these tools”.

Sound infrastructure

The Meyer Sound ceiling system that supports Spacemap Go, along with the other modes of presentation, comprehends 12 Ultra-X42 speakers in a 3-grid pattern×4.

Deep bass is increased with two 750-LFC low frequency control elements, while the Galaxy network platform 816, originally specified for speaker processing only, now also fits Spacemap Go's spatial sound mix.

In addition to the aerial system, pre-COVID-19 plans also called for a direct booster system, suitable for both meetings and disco-style celebrations.
For this application, Solotech specified a Meyer Sound system anchored by 10 Leopard line array speakers, reinforced at the bottom end by four 1100-LFC and two 900-LFC low-frequency control elements.

Four Ultra-X40 speakers complete the system for filling, four MJF-210 stage monitors and a second Galaxy 816 for driving and optimizing the system. Con The Portal, now transformed into an immersive experience, the Leopard system has been repurposed to provide support for external events, including the 'Wanderland' experience.

David Johngrass joined as production manager long after Solotech specified the systems, but because of his theatrical experience, I knew very well what I would be working with.. “When I accepted the job, I was happy to find out it was a Meyer solution. The same goes for all the guys on my team.. We know that everything we get from Meyer will be top notch and sound amazing”.

The systems integrator for the Meyer Sound facilities was Solotech, under the general direction of Aaron Beck, business development executive and senior engineer. Design engineer and programmer Brandon Andreasen and project manager Kevin Roberts also contributed..

At the beginning of 2021, Meyer Sound systems at AREA15 have been updated with the addition of a distributed system comprising eight MM-4XP miniature powered loudspeakers and four MM-10ACX miniature powered subwoofers for the Art Island interactive outdoor location.

Area15 is a joint development of Fisher Brothers y Beneville Studios.