The Whitney Peak Hotel in Reno, Nevada, recently opened its doors with a new name, brand and concept. The Whitney is the only non-gaming, non-smoking hotel in downtown Reno. The new hotel is one step toward changing people’s perceptions of what Reno is all about.

Part of the new hotel concept included drawing bigger names to Cargo, the live concert venue at the hotel. To that end the owners invested in an Eastern Acoustic Works sound reinforcement system and moved the venue to a more prominent, larger space on the first floor of the hotel.

“When the owners decided to attract higher profile acts, the first thing they looked at was upgrading the sound system,” explains Dan Bishop, production manager at Cargo’s live concert venue. “They knew we needed something more rider-friendly than what the original club used. I had some experience with EAW’s LA Series and was familiar with the sound quality. I’ll admit that an EAW line array was at the top of my list during the search for a new PA.”

Bishop was tasked with designing the new system as well as overseeing its installation by Moon Lighting And Sound, also located in Reno. After spending a considerable amount of time researching and comparing multiple line array systems, Bishop decided an EAW KF740 line array would be best suited for the job.

“Ultimately the KF740 just seemed to fit what we were trying to do,” he continues. “The size with the output characteristics matched the space better than any of the other line arrays I checked out.

“The EAW Resolution software was also extremely helpful when it came time to figure out how much product we needed, where to install it, how to align it and more. The whole package was exactly what we were looking for.”

The PA consists of a total of 15 KF740 line array enclosures. Two arrays of six boxes are hung from a ceiling I-beam to the left and right of the stage. The remaining three are placed across the front of the stage for front fill.

Four SB2001 subwoofers are located under the stage in an end-fire configuration to drive the low end of the system. Sixteen MW12 microwedges are available for stage monitor purposes.
EAW’s UX8800 units provide digital processing, including EAW Focusing settings. Bishop uses a laptop loaded with EAW Pilot software to make any adjustments to the system wirelessly from anywhere in the room.

The system also utilizes four EAW Powercubes which provide an efficient way to house the signal processors and amplifiers. Once wired together they provide power distribution to the individual system components.

“The KF740 boxes not only sound great, but really look terrific, too,” adds Bishop. “The room is wide open, kind of industrial looking yet clean and elegant at the same time. The line arrays really add to the visual impact of the room.”

The upgraded room and sound system seem to be accomplishing exactly what the owners were looking for - Cargo has been packed night after night and is drawing acts like Chris Shiflet and the Dead Peasants, Reckless Kelly, Old Crow Medicine Show, Clary Browne and Warpaint.

“We have received so many compliments on the sound system,” concludes Bishop. “Bands and FOH engineers are excited to know they will be using an EAW line array system. Some critics have even said that they think Cargo has the best sound they have ever heard in a live concert venue of this size and scale.”