The Novo overhauls its sound system with L-Acoustics

The Novo, a 2,300-capacity venue in downtown Los Angeles’ L.A. LIVE entertainment complex, has become the latest in a growing series of L-Acoustics installations across Goldenvoice-operated venues.

An L-Acoustics K2 rig with KS28 subs and a comprehensive network of A15i fills has been installed at the venue.

“We were coming up on 20 years as a venue, and the original PA was still here when I first got here,” said Ramsay Fauset, director of production at the Novo. Fauset came to The Novo five years ago from Hollywood’s Fonda Theatre, another Goldenvoice venue equipped with an L-Acoustics system. ”I was impressed with the sound and with the difference the L-Acoustics rig made in our other venues, so L-Acoustics was the A-1 choice for me at The Novo.”

Even coverage throughout the space posed a challenge to this project, as The Novo’s balcony sits unusually close to the stage. “Sitting up there is great for the visual experience, but it’s also very near the stage, so some seats sit right in the firing line of an array,” explained Fauset. “Given that balcony design, we moved forward with K2.”

“There’s an almost scary amount of headroom now, which is so refreshing after pushing our old system to the very brink of its abilities for so long,” said Fauset.

The venue also upgraded its monitor package with seven coaxial X15 HiQ nine X12 wedges, as well as side/drum fills made up of two A15 FOcus over two KS21 subs per side. The entire house system is powered by LA7.16i amplified controllers, besides the KS28 subs and monitors, which are driven by LA12X. The sound system overhaul was rounded out with an upgrade to two new DiGiCo consoles, a Quantum2 at front of house and a Quantum2 at the stage monitor position.

“They wanted no gaps in coverage anywhere,” said Adam Figueroa, department head of sales and installations at RAT sound systems. “It’s an interesting space. Their old rig was split, with subs in the middle of the arrays, because the balcony is so large. We brought the K2 rig way down to get a strong image on the floor, which is why we needed those A15i Focus over-balcony fills. And now they have consistent coverage.”

The high channel count of the LA7.16i amplifier controllers allowed granular tuning throughout the space. “They’re super-efficient,” said Figueroa. “Their old rig had four or five racks full of amps, and we went with just one new rack full of LA7.16. It sounds great.”

“The headroom alone is something to celebrate,” said Fauset. “And the fidelity, the musicality, the realism—everything people have come to expect from a K Series rig. It’s a real step forward for the venue.”

Images credit: Joe Vallejo