Brown Note Productions Integration Installs d&b audiotechnik KSL System in Radius Chicago
Radius is a 55,000 square foot multi-room venue, scalable in capacity from 2,500 to 3,800 guests. The venue features a state-of-the-art d&b KSL loudspeaker system installed by Brown Note Production of Thornton, Colorado, exceptional acoustics, VIP mezzanine level, artist lounge, four stylish artist rooms with full amenities, an open-air artist compound area, production offices, and RV/truck parking with direct access to the stage for load-in and out. Following its initial opening in February and currently awaiting its re-opening due to COVID-19, Radius is located in Chicago’s East Pilsen neighborhood just south of The Loop. Previously an old steel factory, the space has been transformed into a modern artistic venue, showcasing mural work by local and international artists, and equipped with stunning light fixtures to highlight the uniqueness of the venue. Radius utilized the open floor plan of the building to produce an exploratory experience for guests, where they can flow between the various areas, hold creative photo ops, and changing viewpoints at the mezzanine level.
Cermak Hall (set to come online in 2021) is located within Radius and is a 10,000 square foot multi-purpose event space with a capacity for 1,350 guests, featuring its own entrance, a full bar, and stage. The hall will be used as a pre- and post-event space.
“The original spec was for a d&b J-Series as the project started four years before the SL-Series was available,” states Ryan Knutson, Brown Note Productions. “The KSL was the natural progression for the venue’s future sound reinforcement needs. As we went down the road with the J-Series, the clear replacement would be KSL as it fit the venue size and sound qualities needed to cover the venue throughout.” Brown Note also installed d&b Y-Series point source loudspeakers ideally suited for the additional fill coverage needs, providing appropriate SPL output and consistent d&b voicing.
The SL-Series sets a new standard for power, accuracy and control in line array performance delivering full range broadband directivity and extended low-frequency response. KSL is the second system to be released as part of the SL-Series, providing these benefits for use in medium to large scale applications in an accessible size.
Knutson said the client attended a demo at the Mission Ballroom (also a Brown Note KSL install) soft opening and listened to the system. “The use of d&b ArrayCalc to model the venue gave us the right predictions to be successful with the deployment and commissioning.”
“The d&b KSL loudspeaker system was essential – from the start, we wanted the sound to be a major differentiator for Radius and this system was the driving force,” states owner, Nick Karounos. “With this system and the venue acoustics, we’ve essentially addressed a major complaint of other venues that were a theatre first and then retrofitted into a concert venue.”
Radius will entertain most every style of music, from rock to electronic and everything in between. The venue is set up to handle most touring shows and since the pandemic, has shifted to small socially distanced experiential events, private events and corporate events.
The d&b system configuration consists of 11 x KSL (7 KSL8, 4 KSL12) per side for a total of 22, 10 x SL-GSUB, 4 x Y10p loudspeakers for front fills, 2 x Y10p bar area fills, 2 x Y10p under balcony fills, 5 x 10S-D for the mezzanine and VIP area fills, 17 x D80 amplifiers, 3 x D20 amplifiers and 2 x DS10 Audio Network Bridges.
For more information on Radius, visit www.radius-chicago.com.
For more information on d&b audiotechnik, visit www.dbaudio.com.
