MSL-5 System Rocks New Disco in Spain
The Meyer Sound File - Spring 1997

Megacity Disco's new MSL-5 based system

The new disco Megacity, at Parque Corredor in Torrejon de Ardoz (20 kilometers east of Madrid), boasts what must be one of the most powerful sound systems ever installed in a disco: a concert-scale MSL-5 system, complete with addition mid-bass and subwoofer cabinets. Twin Cam Audio of Barcelona supplied the sound system for the multi-area entertainment center, which opened in January.

"We wanted to offer the public much more than a standard macro-disco," says Javier Serrano, General Director of Instalaciones Y Medios, the owner of Megacity. "We wanted State of the Art in sound and lighting-something that could really make a difference in the amount of enjoyment that our clients could have here."

The disco's main system, comprising four MSL-5 bi-amplified loudspeaker systems and eight DS-2 mid-bass systems hangs in two stereo clusters, with a mono subwoofer array of four 650-R2s positioned in the center of the stage. Two delayed UM-1A monitors are installed at the DJ position overlooking the room. The complete system was tuned and aligned by sound designer James Woods using SIM® System II.

"In Spain, most popular discos have SPLs that are unheard of in the rest of Europe," says Juan Carlos Diez, also of Megacity. "The problem these discos encounter is that sound systems cannot provide these high SPLs and at the same time provide clean, undistorted sound. As a result, discos have to spend quite a bit in replacing broken drivers. To avoid this problem, we selected the MSL-5 system, which is strong enough to provide the high levels we want night after night without distorting the sound."

After meeting with the disco's management and reviewing the acoustic challenges of the venue, Woods recommended the MSL-5 system for the dance area. "The management wanted to have the best possible sound and were acutely aware of the difficulties of the acoustically untreated warehouse-style constructions making up the different areas," he explains. "The MSL-5s are an excellent choice for the disco area because of their high directivity, power, and great sound. The system effectively keeps sound off the walls and focused onto the dance floor. In the heat of the night there can be over a 120 dB SPL of clean sound on the 10 by 20 meter floor."

How do the disco's patrons like the 120 dB sound of the new MSL-5 system? Woods doesn't hesitate: "They love it!"