Installations

These active subs were chosen for this prestigious landmark installation for their smaller size, performance, overall sound quality and the ability to be “hidden” to fit the decor of the installation.

Each system had to be tied in together and required approval from the US Coast Guard which is NOT an easy task as you will see as the requirements are not the same as a typical land-based installation. In addition, each room had to be customized for specific musical needs.

FBT passed the very stringent USCG approval process and the critical performance requirements of Chris and Mike. In the words of Chris Brown, “we had a lot of products to choose from and they were all lobbying us to use them. The usual players, you know who they are so I will not list them. But guess what? FBT gave us the right tools for this job. It was an easy decision.”

“USCG requirements for MV installations are quite different than any other codes or requirements I have encountered. Learning it all was the challenge. It was definitely a process that added greatly to the final expense and time of installing the systems. Two Examples: Burn Factor and no decks or bulkheads can be penetrated for wire runs. Burn Factor reduces how many souls you can have on the boat at one time. Quite amazing really. The original ceiling tiles were metal. We couldn’t have metal as it would be an acoustical nightmare with any amplified band. So, the ceiling tiles purchased were made of compressed crushed stone which were great for a while until they broke and fell to the deck unprovoked! Plan B is a secret. Patent Pending, but it doesn’t burn and is very cool! Keeping a concert going while having a banquet on the deck above meant soundproofing that won’t burn, so for this on the main concert stage we achieved it by using sand. 52 tons of it. Conveyor belt lifted from the dock and loaded three decks up into the metal frame of the stage and then decked on top with plywood. Did I mention that it had to be dry first? Can’t use wet sand on a metal deck or bulkhead, you know. Subwoofers were in chambers wired and able to slide in and out from under the front of the stage. No bleed onto the stage or anywhere else with that sand sealing the subwoofer chambers.”