Meeting Services And JBL VERTEC Line Arrays Shine At AARP Life@50+ National Event And Expo

In a unique demonstration of the versatility and power of JBL VERTEC® line arrays, San Diego-based Meeting Services, Inc. provided the live sound reinforcement system for the recent AARP Life@50+ National Event and Expo in Washington, D.C. Staged September 4-6, the event drew more than 25,000 members to the Walter E. Washington Convention and Exhibition Center.

In addition to the general session, the national event featured performances by top-tier entertainers Paul Simon, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan and Chicago. The event also featured speeches by Maya Angelou, Regis Philbin, Cal Ripken, Jr., Quincy Jones, Shirley MacLaine, Gene Simmons and Dr. Laura Berman. “Because of the combination of speakers and musical performers, the AARP Life@50+ National Event and Expo required an audio system that could serve the needs of a wide variety of program material,” said Ken Freeman of Meeting Services. “The need for a flexible system was even more apparent when considering the diversity of musical talent scheduled to perform.”

To meet the needs of this diverse program, Meeting Services called on the easy-to-use suspension hardware and precision coverage of VERTEC line arrays. The main portion of the sound reinforcement system featured three arrays in a left-center-right configuration, each containing eight VERTEC VT4889 full-size line array elements, with six arrays each containing four VT4880 arrayable subwoofers. Additionally, four arrays each containing six VT4888 mid-size line array elements provided delay fill. The system was further supplemented by two arrays each containing five VT4887A compact line array elements.

In addition to the VERTEC system, Meeting Services deployed a total of 61 VRX932LA portable line array loudspeakers to extend localized coverage into the massive exhibition hall, including 13 delay arrays of three each. Six VRX928LA portable line array loudspeakers and six VRX915M portable monitors served as front fills. Two SRX712M monitors were used for Q&A sessions, while four EON 10 G2 portable PA loudspeakers served as backstage monitors.

Crown I-Tech, MA and XTi Series amplifiers powered the system, which included dbx DriveRack 4800 digital signal processing and was configured via the Harman HiQnet™ System Architect platform.

“As usual, the VERTEC system was very easy to set up and configure, and provided reliable output power, fidelity and accurate coverage throughout the convention,” Freeman added. “And because of the breadth of products JBL provides, we were able to draw from additional JBL product lines to meet the specific needs of our client.”

Meeting Services, Inc. can be reached at (858) 348-0100 and at http://www.msiprod.com