In a business where great sound is the threshold for entry and where reliability and ease of set-up/tear down can impact commercial success, leading production company Platinum XP has staked its success on the ICLive X from Renkus-Heinz. ICLive X, the intelligent evolution of the small-format line array, is fast becoming the sound solution of choice for production professionals who refuse to settle for the status quo and instead follow their ears and their entrepreneurial instincts.
Designed from the ground up, ICLive X (ICLX) is a complete system consisting of three combinable, steerable array modules and one matching subwoofer. Recently, Platinum XP deployed a system featuring 2 ICLXL digitally steerable loudspeakers and two ICLX-118S subwoofers for the Women’s Intersport Network (WIN) for KC Awards in Kansas City, Missouri, successfully covering more than one thousand guests in the 2,700 square foot auditorium with clear, intelligible audio — all without having to fly speakers or adhere to strict sight lines.
“We’re not like other rental production companies, and ICLive X is unlike any loudspeaker system you would typically look at for this type of application,” says Caleb Fankhauser, lead audio engineer at Platinum XP. “We set out to cover the floor of the arena without flying any speakers since tables were set up only a few feet from the stage. The sight lines to the projection screen made the steering capabilities of the speakers very important. Fortunately, Renkus-Heinz had the beam steering technology we needed for this deployment.”
Designed by Ralph Heinz, CTO of Renkus-Heinz, the ICLive X Series exemplifies the independent design philosophy that underpins the company. Each ICLX module comprises six 19 mm compression drivers on an ASM Waveguide coaxially mounted in front of two 8″ woofers. As a result, ICLX is a highly versatile loudspeaker intended for use as a high-output, digitally steerable line array module. ICLX can be arrayed up to 12 modules tall or used in combination with the ICLXL and ICLLX modules. This flexible setup provides the system designer with the power, steerability and directivity to deliver consistent coverage and clarity for even the biggest shows in the most difficult spaces.
“ICLX is an A-rig with unmatched versatility,” explains Dudley McLaughlin, national sales manager of Renkus-Heinz. “It can be used in various configurations in the widest array of music performances, productions or special events. We are exceptionally pleased that a production company of Platinum XP’s caliber has elected to standardize on ICLive X and we’re encouraged by the tremendous success they’ve already experienced with this system.”
Echoing this sentiment, Fankhauser notes, “Our capacity to serve customers more comprehensively, efficiently and reliably has been strengthened by this remarkable sound system. The WIN for KC awards reaffirmed our decision to work with Renkus-Heinz, and we’ve since doubled down with additional inventory of ICLive X.”
ICLX has become a compelling alternative to traditional line arrays for production companies seeking to deliver strong performance but also save on time and cost associated with shipping, flying, calibrating and tearing down line arrays. “ICLX crosses the line,” McLaughlin adds. “It wins vs. line arrays on multiple fronts so it’s not entirely surprising that we have strong interest from the production community.”
Underscoring the production adage that a happy customer is a happy life, Brianna McCullough at WIN for KC acknowledged the winning partnership of Platinum XP’s production support and Renkus-Heinz’s ICLive X sound technology. “The awards luncheon was a complete hit. We were able to celebrate the many accomplishments of the amazing women who deserve to be recognized daily,” McCullough said. “Thanks to the great capabilities of Renkus-Heinz, every guest enjoyed the presentations, speeches and songs no matter where they were seated. We could not have asked for a better way to honor the ladies of the year.”
The Renkus-Heinz manufacturer’s representative for the region, Erich Ulhorn of AVA Reps, concurs. “Sound is subjective, but client satisfaction either exists or it does not,” says Ulhorn. “Platinum XP has built a successful business by serving clients with comprehensive solutions and consistently generating client satisfaction for important events. We’re grateful to be able to participate in that process and to help advance the production performance and commercial success of the Platinum XP team.”
The Platinum XP Experience
Platinum XP is a single-source, full-service event planning agency. XP stands for experience. It starts with the company’s exceptional creative planners and is powered by teams from seven divisions: Planning, Destination Management,. AV, Graphics, Media, Floral, and Virtual Events. All work together to create the highest quality event possible, coordinating on all levels with experience, logistics and budget in mind. From venue sourcing, AV services, branding, media creation, and decor – Platinum XP covers the bases saving clients time, stress and money.