Knitting Factory Stays Ahead of the Curve with Upgraded Meyer Sound
System
For 20 years and counting, the Knitting Factory has been one of New York
City's most adventurous live entertainment venues. Long recognized as a
key showcase for cutting-edge and new music, the three-floor venue's
distinctive Main Space stage has hosted such top-drawer musical
attractions as Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Bill Frisell, and Death Cab for
Cutie, among others. Now, its eclectic roster looks and sounds even
better, thanks to a technical renovation that included upgrading its
existing Meyer Sound system with an all-new complement of Meyer Sound's
renowned UltraSeries(tm) loudspeakers.
The Knitting Factory has enjoyed Meyer Sound's dependability and support
for years (the New York Knitting Factory's Hollywood counterpart is also
equipped with a Meyer Sound system, based on the MTS-4A full-range main
loudspeaker), so founder Michael Dorf and his staff didn't hesitate to
call upon the Berkeley, Calif.-based company again when they decided to
revamp the sound system in the largest of the club's four listening
spaces. "In the seven years that I've been here, all of my dealings with
Meyer have been great," says Knitting Factory chief engineer Jason
Tubbs. "Technical issues have been few and far between, and I really
like working with the people."
Tubbs worked with Meyer Sound to design a system that would raise the
standard of excellence of the club's audience and artist experiences
beyond its already high level. The result was a potent combination of
four UPA-2P compact narrow coverage loudspeakers, two UPJ-1P Compact
VariO(tm) loudspeakers, and a pair of USW-1P compact subwoofers. "We
have a wide variety of acts coming through here, from emerging artists
all the way to global headliners," Tubbs says. "Our Meyer system offers
the flexibility to deal with all of them. For hip-hop, we have all the
low end we need, plus crystal-clear intelligibility for the vocals.
There's plenty of power for the rockers, and for the acoustic acts, the
definition is there."
The infamous L-shape, hard surfaces, and expansive balcony of the
400-capacity Main Space impose an interesting set of acoustical
challenges on its revamped loudspeaker system. However, the narrow,
symmetrical pattern, precise control, and highly accurate imaging of the
UPA-2P, combined with the extended high frequency performance of the
UPJ-1P, re-energize the venue's primary stage with improved sound. "When
we installed the new Meyer system, we just kept turning it up and up to
115 dB and said, 'Wow, it still sounds amazing!'" Tubbs recalls. "This
is almost like a hi-fi system. It's putting everything exactly where I
want it to go."
Inverting the UPA-2P cabinets allowed improved intelligibility under the
100-seat balcony. "When you're way back in the balcony, you can see the
lower part of the box - and if you can see it, you can hear it!" says
Tubbs. "We were able to put the boxes up higher than in our previous
install, so sight lines to the stage are better, and it feels bigger.
Artists who return here feel it right away; they're constantly asking
us, 'Did you change something?'"
The icing on the cake for the Knitting Factory was the addition of the
Meyer Sound USW-1P subs, whose high peak power capability and flat
response from 32 to 180 Hz certainly make their mark. "Those are built
right into the center stage," Tubbs says. "Adding the USW-1P subs took
our sound to the next level. You can feel some of that bass guitar in
your gut, the drive of the kick drum - the low end off the floor pushes
you around a little bit without being overwhelming."
Sonic Circus Inc. installed the entire system, which included new FOH
and monitor consoles. "This Meyer Sound gear is the best possible fit
for Knitting Factory", says Sonic Circus crew chief Ray Martin, "because
it combines high quality with a compact footprint."
Despite its big sound and multiple performance halls, the Knitting
Factory still suffers from space constraints - a common problem for NYC
venues - which makes the compact profile of Meyer Sound's self-powered
design all the more essential. "I love the self-powered aspect," Tubbs
confirms. "With everything in the box, you don't need to deal with
crossovers and dialing up settings, because it's ready to go. In a
smaller club like the Knitting Factory, taking up less space is
absolutely necessary. We need every inch we can get!"
As a top stop for elite artists and their increasingly sophisticated fan
base, the Knitting Factory's new Meyer Sound system gives them the power
to offer both sides of the stage an exciting show. "Now, everything
feels right," Tubbs says. "It's definitely a nice feeling when a touring
engineer walks in, sees the Meyer system and says, 'Great, I won't have
any problems tonight.'"
