54 l February 2013 installationreport BELGIUM Het Depot continues with Nexo One of the artists discovered at the
open mic nights was Selah Sue, who also played four nights at the re-opening of the Depot
explains Roeland Boeve, production manager of Het Depot. “It also takes care of maintenance – it’s a healthy collaboration allowing us to order extra gear whenever artist production riders require it.” After first having used a configuration of stacked Nexo Alpha speakers, Het Depot opted for a Nexo GEO T array system in 2007. “GEO T has more power than the GEO S, and, over the years, we found that it’s the best choice for the venue. A crucial element in our decision to continue with Nexo is that we have an extremely good working relationship with VDB PA,” says Boeve. For the renewed venue, VDB
Late 2012 saw the re-opening of Het Depot – and a further commitment to Nexo sound reinforcement, reportsMarc Maes
HET DEPOT, an 840-capacity concert venue in the heart of Leuven, has become a household name in the concert and touring industry. Since 2005, the venue has been hosting some 100 productions and 50,000 visitors per year. In 2010, the city of Leuven approved the
refurbishment of the building: in addition to the main hall, renovation works also included a new foyer-café, three rehearsal rooms, a sound lab and a multipurpose lounge. The total cost of the refurbishment is estimated at some €5 million. Since the very first concerts,
Mike Naert, director of Het Depot, has worked with sound and light company VDB PA – the pair enjoy a long-time exclusive lease agreement, which has been consolidated in the renewed venue. “VDB PA put in place the in-house audio and light system for the main venue,”
PA expanded the GEO T 4805 inventory and replaced TD 15 subs with six RS18 sub-bass cabinets. “The Depot’s stage has specific niches designed to hold the subs, and thanks to the sub arc position of the RS18, optimal sub-bass dispersion is guaranteed,” says Jan Van den Brande, managing director of VDB PA.
The FOH system now consists of 18 Nexo GEO T4805, four GEO T2815 and six RS18 subwoofers – the array
speakers are powered by 10 Camco Vortex 6 amps and two Nexo NX242 digital processors. Two Nexo NXAMP4X4C amplifiers are used for the subs. The system is controlled by a Soundcraft MH4 48/4 console for FOH and a Soundcraft Vi4 on monitors, replacing the two analogue desks of the past. In addition to the rented system in the main venue, Het Depot bought a new audio system for the café – a 150- capacity club with a stage for unplugged concerts and open mic nights. A Soundcraft Si Compact 16 console is the nucleus of a sound system, steering six Nexo PS10R2 speakers and two Nexo RS15 subs with four Nexo PS10R2 as monitors. The FOH speakers are powered by two Nexo NXAMP4X1C and one NXAMP4X4C. “Two of the PS10R2 cabinets are used as delay – the drinks being a narrow rectangle,” adds Boeve. Finally, the first floor of the Depot has been turned into a VIP lounge for events and after-show parties. “The basic layout consists of four Nexo PS8, one LS600 Sub bass speaker and a Nexo NXAMP4X1C amp,” explains Van den Brande.
Both the café and lounge systems were purchased with VDB PA. n www.nexo-sa.com