FOH online.com NEWSROOM

06/22/05 11:51am pst
Rat Sound Rejoins Warped Tour After 10 Years

OXNARD, CA—Rat Sound Systems provided audio for the very first Warped tour in 1995 and is now returning, 10 years later, this time with matching and combinable flown V-DOSC rigs on both main stages.

In addition to the main stages, Rat is providing a 16-box Rat Trap 5 system to each of the two smaller stages, consisting of four Rat Trap 5s and four Rat subs per side. In some venues, the main stage or stages combine into a single, larger stage, and the bands play at alternating times from each half of the stage.

The two main stages are each loaded with identically flown V-DOSC systems (six V-DOSCs per side) plus six ARCS and 12 Rat subs. Yamaha 4K consoles are being used for stage monitors and Front of House. On the third stage, a pair of Ramsa 840s do front and back and Midas Venice consoles cover the fourth system's house and monitor control.

The main stages are processed by XTAs and powered by Crown for the V-DOSC with Crest amps driving the Rat Subs. Rat's tri-amped dual 15-inch,10-inch and two-inch L-Wedges handle the demanding main stage monitoring volumes, while on the smaller stages, Rat's smaller version, the tri-amped M-Wedges (15-inch,10-inch and 2-inch) are up for the job.

The 11-person Rat crew that will set up, operate and maintain the gear is divided up to give three Rat personnel to each of the main stages, two to each of the small stages and one for crew chief and “roamer.” "The Warped Tour is unlike any other tour on earth and may be one of the most challenging large-scale rock tours ever in terms of harsh environments, minimal days off and tough conditions. The crew, the gear and the bands all take beatings from doing outdoor daytime gigs in desert heat, torrential downpours and the show density of non-stop bands,” Dave Rat explained. “It's not for everyone, but there is something truly magical about event and the camaraderie that forms that keeps drawing many people back, year after year, for another marathon run."

The show features bands like The Transplants, The Offspring, Billy Idol, My Chemical Romance and many more. "We know the tour is tough but with an awesome crew, great gear and strong support from the Rat Shop, I am confident that we are up for the challenge and pushing the sound quality of Warped Tour up to a new level," Dave Rat said.

For more information, visit www.ratsound.com.