New Years Eve 2010

Posted on Jan 05, 2010 12:03 am
Rob Stemple
The Czar of BS
Member Since: Dec 31, 2007

This year, the company that I work for won the bid to do the audio for the Philadelphia Fireworks for NYE.

This was the first year that Electric Factory Company Productions wanted sound on both sides of the Delaware river. And being that EFC and Clear Channel are for the most part, one in the same. They wanted it BIG!

On the Philadelphia side, We were to cover over 1500 feet of the expanse of the river. On the Camden N.J. side, our coverage was to be in two different locations. One directly across from Penn's Landing, the other 2,000 feet away South of the Penn's Landing location. In our normal Summer gig spot @ Wiggins Park.

Being that the Fireworks show was North of Wiggins Park, in right in the middle of the river between Penn's Landing and Camden. Wiggins park was the smallest portion of our coverage. Still, we placed 8 pair of Turbosound Floodlight there. Facing in directions of where the audience could see.

On the Penn's landing side of things, we brought the bulk of our gear. 14 Turbosound Aspect 890H's (Top boxes) And 24 890L's. (Subs) This was at the main spot of Penn's Landing. Going further down, we placed two Geni Towers with 4 Turbosound Aspect TA500DP's. (Self powered three way box) With 4 Aspect 880L's below each tower. Each tower was over 500 feet apart from one another.And 12 Turbosound TXD121's to fill in the gaps in between the two towers.

This left me to do the Camden side of things. For the mains, I brought 10 TSF760's (Three way top boxes) and 10 TSW721's (Single 21" subs) I placed this in one cluster that would give me 180°s of coverage.

Knowing that the weather was not going to be ideal for sitting out in it for over 16 hours. So, I wanted to make my stay there a pleasant one. The temperature was 31°s, and raining. But just for kicks, it decided to snow in the morning just before we got there. Covering the ground with a 1/2" of snow.

I decided to keep all of the control equipment inside the truck. This way I didn't have to worry what Mother Nature was going to throw at me. And I brought one of our drum shields with me. Over 6 heaters of various types. A hot pot, Foreman grill, and snacks of all types. We were ready!






You can some of what is going on here in these two pictures. On the first one, you see my use of the drum shield. This one was already in two pieces. One three panel, and the other in two. I used the three panel section to fit tight against the truck, but leaving a small door on the left side. The two section piece was to act as the door. Which, if you have one, they worked better then I would have ever thought!

The small door way gave me access to bring in my cable runs. But, also in the top picture, you can just make out that there is three racks that were right in front of me. The first on the left, was a 3 Ø, 100 amp PD. (Power Distribution) The next two are amp racks for the Floodlight.

In front of the pieces I just listed, was my computer, an Instant Replay, and a Yamaha DM1000.

All with in the nice warm enclosure of the truck. Keeping me and my co-worker comfortable for the entire night.

We had two shows for the New Years Eve gig. One at 6pm and the other (obviously) at Midnight. Both shows were programed into our Instant Replays. And the Penn's Landing side counted off a count down, via two way radios, for me and the other engineer at Wiggins Park. Worked better then I would have imagined.

Al thought, having over 6 hours to kill in between, was a little boring. This is why we brought so much crap with us. Just so that we had something to do. Hey, eating is something to pass the time with.






31°s outside, 64°s inside the truck. Got to love that!

The 6pm show went off well. Both sides had a good size crowd show up. And everything worked the way it was suppose to. We past our time in between shows eating and talk. Just waiting for the last show to go off, and then we were out there.

12am hits. And all was going well. I was taking some pictures of the fireworks, when one of the union hands came over to me to tell me that one of the speakers fell.

I ran over to our stack, and sure enough, a TSF760 had fallen. Puzzled as to why, I went under the tarp that we left over the speakers since it was still raining.

Do you remember that old Football game? Where the field was a metal plate that vibrated. And the small players would move around. Well......... I became one of the little football players on the field. The bass in the second set of music was recorded much heavier then the 6pm set. And with 10 TSW721's on a 1' platform, was incredible!

I pulled out my flashlight and saw all of the top boxes moving in the same fashion that I was!

Not Good!

I had to spend the rest of the time under the tarp trying to keep the rest of the boxes from falling over. Have you ever been under a tarp with a PA while it was running?

The high end reflections bounce right off of the tarp, and it seems right into your ears. No matter where you try to hide under there!

Ouch!!!!!!!

I was able to keep the rest of the boxes from falling over. But, missed the rest of the fireworks. :(

Still, I had a good time there. It was one of the best outdoor shows that I have done.

How was all of yours? Anyone have any good NYE gigs?

Here are some shots that I got, just before the speaker fell.

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