Photo Credit: Station Casinos

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Aliante Station broke ground in February 2008 and was a $662 million joint venture between Station Casinos and the Greenspun Corporation. Set on a 40–acre lot, Aliante Station is the 18th property for Station Casinos in southern Nevada. Access, the property's 600–plus seat concert venue, AV, lighting, control system infrastructure, and theatrical architecture was designed by Montreal based Sceno–plus. Audio Video Design–Build Group (Las Vegas) was hired to design and integrate the audio, video and control systems. This was not the first time AVDB worked with Station Casinos; they were employed in 2007 to construct the multi–million dollar Ovation Theater at Green Valley Ranch Resort and Red Rock Resort's 'Rocks' Lounge.

Space was at a premium at the FOH location that houses a 96–channel input Yamaha PM5D–RH digital audio console, a Yamaha DSP5D expander, and lighting and video. The decision to install a Yamaha PM5D–RH digital audio console was based on it being the best product for the money and a standard, rider–friendly solution. "Most engineers know how to run it because of the vast installed base, and availability in the inventory of all the major touring companies," states Scott Oosthuizen, (System Designer, AVDB Group). "The Yamaha DSP5D expander was required to add 48-additional inputs."

At FOH, the overall system equalizer is a Dolby LAKE_LP8D8, and dual Manley MSLC can be inserted across the digital system busses for a touch of analog warmth. The Yamaha PM5D–RH with DSP5D expander is one of the first 96– Input systems permanently installed in Las Vegas. The digital audio systems were also word–clock locked using a dual pair of Apogee Big Ben Master Digital Clocks at the stage Monitor and FOH locations.

The stage monitor console is a duplicate 96–input channel Yamaha PM5D–RH with a 48 channel DSP5D expanderer required for additional inputs. AVDB Group provided a total of seventeen L–Acoustic 115XT HiQ Stage monitors, equalized with a sixteen channel Klark Teknik Rapide/ DN9344E equalizers. ARC loudspeakers and Electro–voice Xi– 2181A dual 18" subs are being used for side fills.

Eight channels of Shure UHF–R series wireless microphones are located on stage with Beta 58 and Beta 87A heads, and a substantial microphone package is available to satisfy even the most stringent rider. Microphones featuring AKG, Shure, Sennheiser, Neuman, Audix and C–ducer devices are all available. Direct boxes are by Klark Teknik and Whirlwind. Eight channels of Sennheiser SR3256 are available for wireless in–ear monitoring.

When the project was completed, the Access operational staff training commenced. All major equipment manufacturers including Yamaha's Randy Weitzel were involved with this crucial part of the installation project.

Sheryl Crow surprised the crowd at the VIP Grand Opening Party by taking the stage to a standing ovation of a packed house. The complete concert was broadcast to all the resort and gaming plasma screens and the Race and Sports book video projection screens. Simultaneously, audio was also sent to the background music and paging system head–end for resort wide distribution.

For more information on AVDB Group, visit www.avdb-group.com.

For more information on Yamaha PM5D–RH digital consoles and DSP5D expanders, visit www.yamahaca.com.