[Japan] Tokyo-based audio specialist 3NIL Sound Design has been handling a variety of sound production projects for almost nine years. From concerts and corporate events to audio streaming, the company prides itself on delivering premium solutions, and its commitment to high quality is reflected in its rapid growth as a trusted audio partner for a wide range of events.
3NIL Sound Design’s founder and president, Masatoshi Iitika, recently reviewed the company’s system inventory with a view to improving efficiency and flexibility in practical and logistical terms, without compromising on audio quality. He felt that the pointfficient to meet the needs of certain events, with larger projects occasionally requiring the hiring in of extra kit
Added to this was the time and effort required for the setup and dismantling of bulky and heavy loudspeaker units, as well as uneconomical transport. Experienced audio engineer Masatoshi, who had worked widely in live and studio sound before setting up 3NIL, chose a Coda Audio solution to upgrade his system.
“Our goal was to own our own line array loudspeakers that were compact, powerful, and would allow us to better control the amount of equipment needed according to the scale of each job. Having initially auditioned CiRAY we moved our focus to Coda’s ultra-compact N-RAY which appeared to best match our requirements.”
3NIL have now enjoyed using their new system for several months and its real-world performance has confirmed to them that N-RAY a was exactly the right choice.
One of the system’s first outings was with Tokyo band The Namu’s, whose live show combines tight pop music melodies with humorous lyrics and spoken-word comedy sketches. Working on front-of-house at the 300-capacity Yokohama Kannai Hall (the smaller of two spaces at this popular culture centre), Masatoshi recognised the importance of balance and separation in the mix to best convey the band’s subtleties:
“The aim was to make sure the words are heard, not just the voices, whilst losing nothing of the band’s high energy music. The resolution and power of the N-RAY system effortlessly allowed this, and we received high praise for the sound from both the artist and audience.”
For the Namu’s, 3NIL deployed three N-RAY and two SCN-F per side as ground stacks, using the system’s variable horizontal coverage and variable vertical curving to avoid the sound scattering and flutter echo created by the venue’s exposed ceiling structure, whilst still ensuring complete front to back coverage. He comments:
“Because I hadn’t been using the system for very long, and wasn’t yet used to anticipating the SPL, I set the system up with two SCN-F per side. As it turns out the low end was more than sufficient so I ended up using it at a lower level. Next time, in a hall of this size, just one sub will be more than enough. It’s amazing what it can produce from just that single 15” box!
“It’s worth adding that even with three N-RAY and two subs, each stack is shorter than an average adult, so it doesn’t feel intimidating on stage and results in better sightlines for the audience and lighting personnel.”
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