Upstage Sound is a Melbourne based production company specialising in corporate audio and live music events. From small private functions, to extensive music festivals, they have been tasked to deliver across a wide spectrum of sound reinforcement requirements. To tackle the ever-changing landscape of their client’s needs, Upstage Sound make use RCF’s dynamic HDL20-A units and matching SUB8004-AS subwoofers as their primary Front of House system.
RCF’s large format array series, with its exceptionally high SPL, tunable directivity and excellent sonic quality, has become the heart of Upstage Sound’s live audio setup. The HDL20A unit is a powered line array mid-high module, capable of an astonishing 135 dB max SPL per cabinet. Each mid-high module features 2 x 10″ woofers, 1 x 3″ compression drivers, and a DSP-controlled Input section with selectable presets.
Upstage Sound’s director and lead engineer, Camillo Mac, speaks highly of the HDL20A’s output power. “We recently had the system setup for the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, a 14-piece band performing in front of two thousand people at Flemington Racecourse. The HDL system delivered all the headroom and control we needed for a gig like that- I’m always impressed.”
Depending on client requirements, Camilo’s crew have occasionally split the system up into two or more smaller systems, where they are able to operate independently thanks to their Active power architecture and portable design. “It’s a very straightforward setup; we can have the guys assemble them as little PA’s, or run a primary system and then a smaller system in another room for example.”
Assembling the system at venues such as The Forum Melbourne, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Moonee Valley Racing Club, and Palladium at Crown, to name only a few, Upstage Sound is no stranger lugging and loading PA. This is where the HDL series really shines for Camillo too. “I love the power-to-weight ratio. There’s so much energy for such small units; especially in the subs- they are really something special for that size. The best part though, is that we recently changed from a 4-tonne truck to a 3-tonne truck, and I’m really pleased that it all still fits nicely along with the lighting, trussing and other gear we often need.”
From corporate gatherings like ‘ACER’s 70s Gala’ (pictured below), to outdoor music festivals like ‘Super Garden Party’, Upstage Sound have an impressive history of events under their belt; where they have had the opportunity to work with a variety of well-known Australian talent, such as Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and Johnny Diesel.
