Powersoft amplifiers were used to drive audio for the halftime show at Super Bowl 50. Over 120 units of the K10 power amplifier and eight custom subwoofers featuring M-System drivers were deployed.
Audio services provider ATK Audiotek provided system integration and audio services for the event, creating an audio solution that consisted of 18 mobile speaker carts. These were equipped with JBL VT4889 line array elements, JBL VT4880A subwoofers and Powersoft K10 amplifiers. The speaker carts were rolled onto the field for the pre-game, halftime and post-game portions of the event.
For the halftime performances, ATK Audiotek's team had just six minutes to roll out and set up the entire audio system, with the stage itself consisting of 28 individual pieces in addition to the loudspeaker carts that had to be rolled into position on the perimeter of the field.
During the event planning processes, efficiency and footprint were key concerns, as Kirk Powell, systems designer of ATK Audiotek explained: “For events of this size, there is enormous power usage so efficiency is absolutely key. The Powersoft K10s minimize our power draw and provide maximum output efficiency.â€
In addition to the full service sound system ATK provided for the entertainment elements, the existing stadium PA system was augmented with additional low-end reinforcement for mid-game music bumpers, referee announcements, and announcer calls.
Pat Baltzell, Sound Designer and FOH mixer for ATK Audiotek said: "These [Powersoft subs] helped us get an extra half-octave of audio, reaching the super-low frequencies, between 25 and 35 Hz." By using the M-Force loaded cabinets with 30-in cones, the ATK team was able to leverage roughly three times the power of conventional drivers, the subwoofer count on the field from 24 to eight.