Rock Candy Festival

Context

The Team

K Series Rocks the Rock Candy Festival

The Rock Candy Festival, a fresh addition to Chengdu’s vibrant cultural scene, debuted at the 110th China Food and Drinks Fair. This inaugural two-day outdoor concert showcased an eclectic lineup of local and international artists spanning pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, and electronic music. Co-created by the legendary music director Zhang Yadong and sound designer He Biao, the festival sought to deliver an unparalleled live audio experience, making it the first event in China to feature L-Acoustics’ L-ISA immersive sound technology.

The Challenge

Organizing a festival of this scale in an open-air venue posed significant challenges. The hilly terrain of the audience area required a sound system that could deliver even coverage and exceptional clarity across all listening zones. Achieving this within the constraints of outdoor acoustics and varying audience heights was a formidable task.

The Solution

To address the challenges of Rock Candy Festival’s open-air venue, He Biao crafted an innovative sound design using L-ISA immersive audio technology. He strategically positioned seven cranes around the stage to support the main rigging trusses and ensure optimal height for sound dispersion. The primary sound system included five hangs of 10 L-Acoustics K1 over six K2 speakers, complemented by two extension hangs of 15 K2 speakers on each side. Two center-flown hangs of 12 K1-SB subwoofers were employed for the powerful low-end frequencies, along with 28 KS28 and 32 SB28 subwoofers ground-stacked in front of the stage. Eight stacks of three Kara speakers were spread across the stage to achieve comprehensive front-fill coverage, while nine K2 speakers on each side handled the out-fill. A delay system with two hangs of 10 K2 speakers each ensured that sound reached the farthest corners of the audience area. This sophisticated setup was powered by 78 LA12X and 24 LA8 amplified controllers, providing robust and reliable performance. On-site, artists’ sound engineers leveraged the capabilities of DiGiCo Quantum 7, Quantum 5, and Quantum 338 digital mixing consoles, benefiting from the expansive possibilities of object-based mixing facilitated by the L-ISA technology. This comprehensive solution ensured even sound coverage and an immersive audio experience for all attendees.

The Result

Implementing L-ISA immersive audio at the Rock Candy Festival was a groundbreaking success. The audience experienced unprecedented sound quality, with intricate details and immersive audio enveloping them regardless of their position in the venue. This enhanced listening experience captivated the attendees and set a new standard for live audio at outdoor events in China.   

Project photos