JPJ Audio invests in 26 Crown Audio VRACKs

JPJ Audio has taken stock of 26 Crown Audio VRACKs, which were immediately specified for Lenny Kravitz’s Black & White tour.

The VRACK, which is designed to work in conjunction with JBL VerTec, VRX, and AE series loudspeakers, features three built-in Crown I-Tech 12000HD amplifiers. Its modular design is aimed at providing optimum scalability, whilst meeting the demands of both large and small sound systems.

“We purchased 26 of the Crown VRACKs and replaced all Crown 5000 and 9000 amplifiers that were driving our JBL VerTec,” explained Jim Straw, CEO at JPJ Audio. “It gives us a new, lightweight packaged amplifier solution as well as access to the new JBL V5 VerTec presets. It was the way other companies around the world were heading and so we decided to push the VerTec forward again and change the amplifiers. The decision to purchase was driven primarily by the presets.”

Designed to provide optimum horizontal coverage, OmniDriveHD sound quality and solid LevelMax limiting, full system integration of VerTec V5 DSP is available with Crown’s VRACK. Straw continued: “The VRACK will help to set the standard for VerTec systems everywhere in the world. VRACK ensures an optimum power match for all VerTec models combined with uncompromised sound quality. Given its versatility, it can be used on VerTec one day and then a monitor rack the next day.”

Following the arrival of the VRACKs, JPJ Audio immediately put them to work on Kravit’s Black & White tour, which was mixed by Laurie Quigley.

The PA system consisted of JBL Vertec; 12 deep on the mains and nine deep on the sides with 12 subs per side and eight subs in the centre. The JBL VerTec was driven by twelve VRACKs, six per side situated behind the subs on side left and stage right.

Laurie stated that he was impressed with the JBL VerTec on the new racks, especially once the programmes were written so that he could control different bands in groups.

“The VerTec and the VRACKs worked really well on the Australian tour and I was extremely happy with the sound,” he commented. “The VRACKs are very versatile; you can do whatever you want with regards to turning certain amps up or down. We had a good sound system, good crew, good company. The gear is only as good as the company that preps it and only as good as the crew that puts it in the air.”

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