Soundcheck Rocks Philippines With JBL VERTEC® Line Arrays For R&B Sensations Rihanna And Chris Brown

Demonstrating the global reach and international rider-acceptability of JBL’s VERTEC® line arrays, Soundcheck, Inc. recently deployed a multi-array system equipped with JBL DrivePack® technology to support a massive R&B show featuring Rihanna and Chris Brown. Promoted by Globe and sponsored by MTV Philippines, the outdoor concert was staged at Manila’s Bonifactio Global City Open Field on November 16 for nearly 70,000 music fans. Having sold more than 11 million albums around the globe, Rihanna already has three No.1 Billboard hits and has amassed 12 top 40 hit singles in the U.S. The Barbadian singer, model and fashion designer was honored as Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist and Favorite Female Pop/Rock artist at the 2008 American Music Awards. Sharing the stage with Rihanna was R&B singer-songwriter and music video director Chris Brown, who also recently achieved the No.1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

A temporary stage with overhead roof and structural scaffolding support was erected onsite to support an extensive lighting system and video projection setup. Concert sound reinforcement services were provided by Soundcheck, the primary rental system contractor for the event, with additional VERTEC inventory having been sub-hired from regional system owner FriendlyFire Sound. A total of 48 VT4888DP-CN midsize powered line array elements and 16 VT4888 enclosures were in use, along with a total of 28 VT4880 and VT4880A full size arrayable subwoofers. Main left and right line-array hangs included 18 enclosures per side, with out-fill arrays each made up of 10 enclosures. Three signal-delayed array zones were also employed to provide rear-area coverage for the massive outdoor field, and JBL VRX932 compact constant curvature line array systems were in use as front-fill support speaker locations.

For stage monitoring, 4-box arrays of VT4888DP-CN’s were used as side-fill arrays with supporting 2x18-inch subwoofer stacks, while three VRX932LA’s were positioned on the downstage front truss for Chris Brown’s specified overhead center monitor array. The rental system inventory for the event also included Soundcheck’s new Soundcraft Vi6 digital mixing console.

“I have been a user of the VERTEC VT4888 since the system product was first released,” noted Jaime Godinez, Owner and Chief Engineer of Soundcheck. “As the owner of a rental company, I have always been satisfied that the midsize VT4888 is so flexible. It fits in very well with indoor corporate shows, but can still be assembled into large arrays to handle the big outdoor shows for international touring acts that we service. I have used the VERTEC system for shows here in the Philippines with acts like Incubus, Linkin Park, Beyoncé, Boyz II Men, and Christina Aguilera. The 4888 has delivered more than enough sound quality and SPL for whatever was required from these big shows. And, our recent upgrade to JBL’s new V4 DSP presets for VERTEC has given new life to the system, it is like getting a brand-new PA.”

Soundcheck, Inc. can be reached in Muntinlupa, Philippines at +(63) 2 807-1298 or by email at jmgmatoco@gmail.com.