Working for Wolfgang, I often get asked where the best sound in Vienna is. Sound is like wine, there are different colours, flavours, and taste preferences. Pro Performances create sound concepts based on the space available. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to premium sound.
The tricky geometry and design of the two floors of Das Werk mean acoustics are absolutely essential for precise and quality sound. Aside from our most recent addition, which is three 3x 1.5m curved steel ceiling absorbers; there are 9 large-scale membrane bass absorbers across both floors and numerous additional absorber panels.
The secret behind the ‚Das Werk‘ sound is not just in the comprehensive acoustic solution but also in the sound systems. On the smaller floor, a straightforward Lambda Labs set-up (2x TX-2a, 3x MF-15) delivers unbelievably good sound despite the (relative) lack of equipment required. This serves as a perfect contrast to the main floor. The 12x 15” custom-built vertical sub-array enhances the 2×3 Alcons Audio RR12 point source arrays, sending the listener into another (sound) dimension.
__________________________
Pro Performance sound:
1) Acoustics
2) Soundsystem
3) Sound technician(s)
4) Musician/DJ
Basics: No MP3’s
__________________________
Location: Das Werk
Date: 16th October 2021
Time: 1:30am
I joined the short queue to get into ‘Das Werk’. Through the wall, I could already feel the powerful bass and ‘see’ SCIROX aka Josef with a smile in his eyes as he played an extended 3-hour set. Josef was warming up for Dimi Angélis, a well-established and extremely talented DJ hailing from the Netherlands. SCIROX is a brilliant DJ in his own right, he knows how the system should be played and based on this, has made some further tweaks to the formidable setup.
Great sound has four important components. Acoustics is the foundation of great sound, the sound system (obviously) is also an essential part of the set-up. However, the best technology is nothing without top-class technicians and ‘das Werk’ is lucky to have Josef. The artist is the final piece of the puzzle and boy, were we in for a treat this night.
A party called JACK is a group of artists and musicians based in Vienna. They were represented by Altroy Jerome and Rumi von Baries, the boys played a classy B2B vinyl-only all-night, house-music set. The vibe in the Luster floor was electric, in contrast, yet complementary to the powerful untz untz coming from the Laster floor.
I know both sound systems and floors quite well but I will always be taken back by the depth and volume on the Luster floor. The floor showcases perfectly that less can mean more, provided the (acoustic) environment is the correct one. After some time I made my way over to the Laster floor for Dimi’s set.
__________________________
The bass hits you and continues through your body, which automatically adjusts to the beat. Two things were clear to me, Dimi Angélis was playing using CDs, and it sounded fantastic. CD’s or compact discs are quite uncommon nowadays but the quality far exceeds that of MP3s. I slowly made my way to the front of the crowd to my favourite position, just in front of the RR12’s to the right of the DJ booth.
That face was one of pure concentration, an artist at work.
Words: Peter Wiggins
Photographs: David Schneider
