NIJMEGEN, Netherlands—Michael Story of Story Sound recently powered a full week of live music and celebrations at the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen with eight stages’ worth of JBL Professional live sound reinforcement systems, with additional support from distributor Audio XL.
An annual tradition with roots stretching back to 1909, the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen (Internationale Vierdaagse Afstandsmarsen Nijmegen in Dutch) is the largest multi-day marching event in the world with more than 40,000 participants. Organized in the Dutch city of Nijmegen since 1925, the event draws thousands of participants who walk 25 miles over the course of four days in July. In the evenings after the marches, there are numerous parties with more than 40 pop-up stages showcasing live music and entertainment throughout the city along the path of the march.
In order to provide top-notch audio experiences for the marchers and partygoers while minimizing the SPL impact on the nearby neighborhoods, Dutch live sound provider Story Sound was hired to design and deploy sound systems for several stages during the event. Story Sound owner and operator Michael Story once again supplied multiple capable rigs consisting of JBL Professional VTX Series and VRX Series loudspeakers and subwoofers, delivering immersive and exciting audio quality in the stage area while containing the noise pollution to the satisfaction of the authorities and stage sponsors alike. European HARMAN provider Audio XL also supplied a new JBL SRX Series system for Michael Story to audition in the Dutch live entertainment market.
"The International Four Days Marches Nijmegen has seen remarkable growth,” said Story. “This year alone, we were entrusted with the audio arrangements for eight outdoor stages. Our longstanding partnership with JBL has been pivotal in this journey, as the quality and reliability of JBL speakers consistently meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. The seamless integration of JBL VTX A Series and the deployment of the new SRX 900 line array have not only showcased innovation but have also provided an unparalleled audio experience.”
Story Sound provided eight different stages with systems that delivered exciting audio quality while also meeting the stringent noise control requirements set by authorities and sponsors. The precision and clarity of JBL VTX Series and SRX Series loudspeakers and subwoofers not only immersed participants in a world of dynamic sound but also successfully minimized the impact of sound pressure levels (SPL) on nearby neighborhoods.
“To do my job, I need my tools,” said Story. “When someone asks what I’m bringing, I tell them not to worry, I’m bringing the best gear they have ever heard. And when they hear it, they’re convinced. I’m not a magician. I need good tools. Otherwise I can’t provide good sound. That’s JBL for me. We work really hard to make the customers happy with the impact and the authorities happy with the noise level. The VTX A Series gives us the tools we need to give them a really nice sound experience. Everybody was happy, so it was a good job for us.”
The power-to-size ratio of JBL speakers, exemplified by the A12 and A8 models, not only delivers outstanding sound quality across various music genres but also streamlines the labor-intensive process of event setup. Story Sound emphasized the significant cost-saving benefits of utilizing JBL equipment, especially with the latest generation's intelligent rigging and quick setup capabilities. Michael Story, having used JBL since 1996, praised the ease of deployment and the reduction in required manpower as key advantages.
“Apart from the fantastic sound quality, JBL's latest gear is a game-changer when it comes to setting up events,” said Story. “With JBL's current generation of line arrays, setting up is quick and easy. You don't need a small army to get things going. The gear is compact, the setup is smooth and it saves us a ton on labor costs. JBL isn't just about killer sound; it's about making events easier and more efficient.”
