Crystal Ballroom PK Sound T8 Robotic Line Array ToneProper.com Install

Location: Portland, Oregon
Venue Type: Historic Dance Hall
Services Provided:
- Full PA System Design & Installation - PK Sound
- FOH & Monitor Console Configuration - Midas Pro Series
- Robotic Calibration & Wireless Connectivity Tuning
- Acoustic Management Strategies for Asymmetrical Live Spaces

Introduction

At ToneProper, we believe that every venue has a unique sonic personality. Nowhere is this more apparent than the Crystal Ballroom, a historic dance hall housed within an old building featuring a mechanical floating dance floor and incredibly live acoustics. When Tone Proper got the call to upgrade their PA to a state-of-the-art robotic sound system, we knew this wasn’t just a standard install, but rather an acoustic puzzle requiring custom engineering.

About the Venue

The Crystal Ballroom is a Portland, OR institution known for hosting national touring acts. Like many historic venues, the Crystal Ballroom was designed with aesthetics and not modern audio systems in mind.

Goals and Challenges

When Tone Proper AV was given the opportunity to design a system for the space, the biggest design concern was coverage. To combat the odd shape of the room and wall of windows, we chose to use the PK Sound, T8 Robotic Line Array for its superior real-time-customizable pattern control (even asymmetrical patterns on the window side). Tone Proper partnered with ACT Entertainment, and PK Sound to design the perfect system for this challenging room. The result allowed the sound to be trained on the audience for many different types of events, and not bouncing off walls and windows. The result is a clear and earth shaking system that enhances the concert-going experience at The Crystal Ballroom.

The Challenge

The Crystal Ballroom presented several hurdles that demanded more than "off the shelf" solutions:

Difficult Acoustics: The room is described as "very live," as in, the natural reverb is high. Our Client needed a system capable of controlling clarity, and to cut through without sounding harsh.
Asymmetrical Layout: The venue has an asymmetrical floor plan with no standard front-of-house position. Our rig had to be deployed off-center, towed in from outside walls and out again on the inside, requiring non-standard deployment angles (approximately 60 degrees offset).

The Solution

We designed and installed a custom configuration of the PK Sound - T8 Robotic Line Array, widely recognized as one of only a few robotic systems in the local market with comparable sound quality to Meyer Sound, but with robotics included from day one.

16x PK Sound - T8 Robotic Line Arrays: Each unit features robotic motors capable of 1-degree resolution horizontally and vertically. This allows for aiming directly from a computer or phone, targeting specific sections of the audience in real-time.
12x PK Sound - T118 Subwoofers: Integrated to provide deep, controlled low-end response essential for live music in a large space.
JBL VTX M20s Stage Monitors: Described as "extreme high quality," these were selected for the stage setup to ensure performers can hear themselves clearly despite the room's acoustics.
2x Midas Pro 2 Console Setup: Both Front of House and Stage Monitor mixes were configured on Midas Pro Series consoles, giving the sound engineer full control over the complex acoustic environment.

The Result

The Crystal Ballroom now features a bleeding edge, robotic line array system that was not previously available at this level in the metro area. By tailoring the deployment angles to the venue's unique architecture and fine-tuning the system for the room's live acoustics, Tone Proper delivered rock-solid sound quality that adapts dynamically to any place the audience is located. The project generated a healthy amount press coverage further validating our approach to complex venue integration.

The Partnership

A Long-Standing Relationship.
McMenamins is a long term ToneProper partner and active rental customer of ToneProper.Rent. This project isn't just an installation. It represents the trust we've built over time. They rely on us not only for their initial "ground-up" system design but also for ongoing gear rentals, support, and technical maintenance that keep their events running smoothly.