Indonesia - On 21 December, Kupang, the capital city of Nusa Tenggara Timur – a region celebrated for its natural beauty and Komodo dragons – witnessed a transformative musical event.
Titled Gembira Bersama Kawan (translated as Having Fun with Friends), this concert was a joyous celebration of Suara Kupang FM’s (SKFM) ninth anniversary. Organised by Andry Elita Raga, affectionately known as Little Jo, and carried by an impactful sound system from KV2 Audio, the event brought together audiences from across generations.
The evening featured performances by renowned Indonesian artists Marcello Tahitoe (Ello) and VierraTalle, both of whom resonate deeply with Kupang's Gen Z and Gen Alpha listeners. “We wanted this to be a celebration not just for us but for our listeners – our friends,” remarks Mr Andry. “At SKFM, we always call our listeners ‘kawan’ (friends). This concert was our way of sharing the joy with them.”
The concert took place at GOR Flobamora, a basketball and futsal court with circular seating. Inspired by the venue’s layout, Mr Andry envisioned a stage positioned at the centre of the court, offering a 360° view for the audience. This design ensured an intimate connection between the artists and their fans, but it also posed a significant technical challenge – how to deliver crystal-clear, immersive sound to an audience seated in every direction.
To bring this vision to life, Mr Andry sought the expertise of Mr Dennys Linardo from Hardrock Rental, a trusted KV2 Audio partner. “We knew this was a job for KV2 Audio,” says Mr Dennys. “Their compact yet powerful systems were the perfect solution.”
The audio solution needed to be compact enough to fit within the limited space above the drummer in the centre of the stage, share room with LED screens, and provide 360° sound coverage. Additionally, the system had to deliver vertical sound projection capable of reaching from the courtside to the top rows of raked seating, all while maintaining excellent gain-before-feedback for performers on stage.
KV2 Audio's VHD2.0 and VHD1.0 down-fill systems rose to the challenge. A single set of VHD2.0 and VHD1.0 was deployed for each of the four quadrants of the stage, arranged in alternating left and right channels for optimal sound distribution. Eight VHD4.18 subwoofers were strategically placed under the stage to deliver deep, resonant bass.
“The VHD2.0 and VHD1.0 systems were compact enough to fit into the tight space above the drummer and powerful enough to cover the entire venue,” Mr Dennys explains. “A traditional line array would have required many more boxes to achieve the same coverage, making this setup not only more efficient but also far less labour-intensive.”
The set-up process was remarkably efficient, thanks to KV2’s design, which eliminates the need for complex angle calculations typical of line-array systems. “The VHD2.0 system sounds fantastic right out of the box,” notes Mr Dennys. “We only needed two adjustments: managing low-mid frequencies to avoid buildup from the proximity of the boxes and adding delay to the subwoofers. The tuning was so straightforward that it was completed directly on the mixing console.”
