What Gets Us Amp’d Up

With all the projects that opened in 2023 (seriously, it was a banner year) we wanted to take a moment and appreciate our consultants and the hard work they do, especially on the heels of an incredible, intensive project like Steelhouse Omaha.

Here Brandon Cudequest kneels in front of the subwoofer pit at the Steelhouse. 

It may be an odd thing to focus on, but it points to the level of detail that makes Steelhouse exceptional: virtually every aspect of the venue was rattle tested during commissioning. Brandon and others walked the venue while playing music at louder than normal volumes to check for audible vibrations. 

The design ethos of Steelhouse was to create as transparent a listening experience as possible, which meant the various metal wall and ceiling finishes could not buzz, hum, or rattle.

Roughly three months before opening, the team discovered that the metal mesh at the subwoofer pit rattled when playing kick drum samples. “I’m holding my arm against the mesh to stiffen the panel, which decreases how much they shake when exposed to extremely loud sound pressure levels.” Based on his testing and listening, Brandon recommended the contractor weld additional stiffeners to the subwoofer pit, and it buzzed no more!

“Our work lets the loudspeaker system shine with high fidelity. The room is uniquely sound absorptive which allows the mix engineers to drive the system to loud volumes that would otherwise be very intense and painful. But here, these intense levels are very enveloping. Everyone who has come in and listened so far has really enjoyed the experience.”

Of course, he wore hearing protection to the concert. Listening to The Killers at 110+ decibels is a fun occupational hazard. “The audience, the excitement, the applause after that first song…I dare someone to find a more exciting environment.” 

Congrats, Brandon – you earned it!