GRUPO FIRME “LA ULTIMA PEDA” TOUR 2024

DATE
23 · 09 · 2024

Products used

A Commitment to Sound Quality

When Grupo Firme planned their “La Última Peda” tour, they aimed to achieve a balanced and high-quality sound in every city, without relying on rented equipment or variable sound systems. To achieve this, they made the decision to purchase their own sound system, ensuring a uniform and consistent audio experience at all their concerts.

“Grupo Firme is a very energetic band, a true ‘party band.’ We have up to 17 performers on stage, with dancers constantly coming and going, so we needed a sound system that could keep up,” explains Rod Rodríguez, Production Manager for the tour. “We couldn’t afford inconsistencies. The audio had to be flawless no matter the venue”.

The Challenge: Delivering an Exceptional Show at Every Concert

Grupo Firme faced a significant technical challenge: with up to 24 musicians on stage and a complex combination of wind instruments, guitars, bass, drums, accordion, and multiple vocals, it was essential to have a system that allowed each instrument and voice to stand out without overlapping. As Isael Gutiérrez, Grupo Firme’s manager, explained: “We spare no expense in production because we want to deliver an exceptional show. We have received numerous compliments, especially on the audio, because it is key to connecting with the audience”.

Additionally, the tour included 37 cities across Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States, presenting another logistical challenge: the equipment had to be durable enough to withstand constant setup and teardown while also being easy to transport to optimize time and costs. With this combination of technical and operational demands, Grupo Firme needed an audio solution that delivered power, precision, and reliability throughout the tour.

“La Última Peda” kicked off at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and concluded at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, solidifying the band as one of the leading names in Latin music. In Mexico, Grupo Firme performed in Aguascalientes, Tapachula, Miguel Hidalgo (CDMX), and Monterrey. They also visited San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. In the United States, they played in San Antonio, Laredo, Houston, Miami, Tampa, Charlotte, Newark, Bristow, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Tinley Park, Austin, Edinburg, El Paso, Denver, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Fresno, Ridgefield, Seattle, Chula Vista, San José, Highland, Oakland, Palm Desert, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Napa Valley.

“We can have the system flown and in the air in an hour and a half, and take it down in an hour and ten minutes. The rigging is very easy”.

Rod Rodríguez
Production manager of “La Última Peda”

“What sets DAS apart is the support. From day one, we had direct contact with the service department, sales team, and management. If something happened, we could solve it immediately”.

Rod Rodríguez
Production manager of “La Última Peda”

“LARA is very consistent and offers a flat response, allowing each voice and instrument to stand out with clarity”.

Baldemar Vicente
FOH Engineer

The Solution: A Sound System That Matched the Spectacle

Instead of renting equipment in each city, as is common for large-scale tours, Grupo Firme chose to invest in a DAS Audio system. The decision was clear: they needed a versatile, powerful, and efficient system that could adapt to multiple venue configurations across Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

“When I first heard the LARA system in Miami, I was very impressed with the male vocal presence and the overall sound clarity”, recalls Rodríguez. “But it was when we tested it in a live concert that we truly realized the potential we had in our hands”.

For the tour, Grupo Firme opted for a robust setup, including 44 LARA systems, distributed as 16 per side and 12 as outfills, along with 24 LARA-SUB subwoofers, 8 SARA units for front fills, 10 ARA M-210 monitors for the stage, and 4 AERO-20 units as side fills. With this configuration, the team ensured uniform coverage in all venues, from arenas to stadiums, without compromising sound quality.

A System Built for the Demands of Touring

One of the biggest challenges of any large-scale tour is the logistics of assembling and disassembling the equipment. In this regard, LARA proved to be a key ally, thanks to its tour-optimized design.

“We can have the system flown and in the air in an hour and a half and take it down in about an hour and ten minutes,” explains Rodríguez. “The rigging is very easy, and the way the bumpers travel inside the truck simplifies the entire process. My crew loves it because it’s fast and efficient”.

Another key aspect was reducing stage noise, a crucial factor for a band with so many members and such a dynamic live performance. “LARA helped us clean up a lot of the stage noise. Its cardioid design allowed us to better control the sound, which greatly benefited our monitor engineer”.

ALMA: The Software That Transformed Engineering Work

Grupo Firme’s tour brought a significant change in how their engineers managed live sound. ALMA, DAS Audio’s control software, allowed real-time adjustments with high precision.

“At first, we were skeptical about ALMA because it was a new system,” Rodríguez admits. “But once the engineers started working with it, they didn’t want to go back. Our monitor engineer can cut frequencies without moving from his console, and the FOH engineer can make adjustments without touching the amplifiers. Everything is done from the software”.

A Key Moment: The System Validated in a Live Setting

The turning point came when Grupo Firme’s lead singer stepped onto the B-stage during the concert and experienced the system in action.

“I remember the look of surprise on his face. He said, ‘Wow, is this the system we just bought? It sounds incredible.’ That was the moment I knew we had made the right choice,” Rodríguez recalls. “I breathed easy. We passed the test”.

Top-Tier Support

Beyond the system’s quality, the production team highlighted DAS Audio’s hands-on support throughout the process.

“What sets DAS apart from other brands is the support. From day one, we had direct contact with the service department, sales team, and management. If something happened, we could solve it immediately, without waiting until the next day,” says Rodríguez. “We received training before the tour and support during the first few weeks. That’s something you don’t always see in this industry”. Beyond the system’s quality, the production team highlighted DAS Audio’s hands-on support throughout the process.

Conclusion: A Strategic Decision for the Tour

Grupo Firme’s decision to invest in their own sound system allowed them to maintain consistent audio quality at all their concerts while optimizing logistics and reducing long-term costs.

“This tour has been a turning point. We’ve realized that having our own system not only improves the sound but also optimizes logistics and reduces costs in the long run” concludes Rodríguez.

Grupo Firme has taken their live sound to a new level by investing in a high-quality audio system. As Baldemar Vicente, FOH Engineer, highlighted: “LARA is very coherent and offers a flat response, allowing each voice and instrument to stand out with clarity. The coverage is spectacular, maintaining the same energy throughout the venue”. Thanks to DAS Audio, Grupo Firme achieved a clear and balanced sound that successfully accompanied every performance on this tour.