Audio Inc. Restores Vaudeville Theatre With Yamaha, NEXO

ucac-nexo-yamaha-low.jpegBUENA PARK, Calif.—The Union County Performing Arts Center (UPAC) is housed in the restored Rahway (NJ) Theater. A classic vaudeville house, visitors experience live performances in a vintage 1928 vaudeville and silent movie palace. With just over 1,300 seats, the theatre, restored to its golden age, is one of the largest functioning centers for the performing arts in Union County. The theater is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places and now operates as a multi-purpose venue for the performing arts.

Audio Incorporated was recently hired for a complete redo of the monumental landmark consisting of a new NEXO and Yamaha audio system. “We had installed the theatre's last sound system about 15 years ago, and all the equipment still functions to this day,” states Mike Sinclair, VP/Owner, Audio Incorporated. “The client was in receipt of additional funding and decided to update the sound system to current technology, so they came back to us to design/Install a new system.”

Sinclair said Audio Inc.'s biggest challenge was UPAC's budget. “We had to choose very carefully when designing a system that would suit the artists they had been booking. Since we had worked with them for many years, they trusted our recommendation of a NEXO GEO S8 system, a couple of Yamaha Installation Series speakers, and a Yamaha M7CL-48ES digital audio console.” Sinclair said they re-purposed some of the older equipment to use in other positions.

The NEXO rig layout consists of seven GEO S805s and two GEO S830's per side, and two CD12 Subs. “We added a Yamaha IS1218 per side on the stage to add a little more thump from 35 to 100Hz to the floor of the auditorium,” says Sinclair. “And, we added a Yamaha IF3115/95 speaker for use as a center channel speaker for the movie screen.” NEXO NX4x4 amps power all of the NEXO speakers, and Yamaha XP Series amplifiers power the Yamaha speakers.

The Union County Performing Arts Center hosts live performances that are educational, affordable, and responsive for the diverse interests of the county's communities. With a large Asian and Hispanic population around the area, the facility is used for cultural and ethnic productions. Local promoters book Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, and Jersey bands such as Southside Johnny as well as comedians like Joe Piscopo. UPAC also books The Great American Songbook artists—from songwriters to Broadway actors who perform solo shows.

“The client had noticed that the Yamaha M7CL digital console was a regular on the artist riders they had been receiving,” notes Sinclair. “We agreed that it was a good selection for the venue and suggested that the EtherSound version would be the best choice not only because of ease of installation, but also because we believe the ES version console has a warmer and richer sound.”

For more information on Audio Incorporated, visit www.audioincorporated.com.

For more information about NEXO and Yamaha products, visit www.yamahaca.com.

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PHOTO ID: From left to right: Mike Sinclair (VP/Owner, Audio Inc.), Stephen Tolve (President/Owner Audio Inc.). Kelley Prestridge (UPAC house sound engineer) stands behind Tolve.

PHOTO CREDIT: CM PHOTOS

About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:

Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the addition of NEXO to the product line, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.