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GRUPO FIRME “LA ULTIMA PEDA” TOUR 2024

DATE
23 · 09 · 2024
Products used
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Introduction

“Up to 24 performers on stage, with dancers constantly coming and going, so we needed a sound system that could keep up”

When Grupo Firme planned their “La Última Peda” tour, they aimed to achieve a balanced and high-quality sound in every city, without relying on rented equipment or variable sound systems. To achieve this, they made the decision to purchase their own sound system, ensuring a uniform and consistent audio experience at all their concerts.

“Grupo Firme is a very energetic band, a true ‘party band.’ We have up to 24 performers on stage, with dancers constantly coming and going, so we needed a sound system that could keep up”, explains Rod Rodríguez, Production Manager for the tour. “We couldn’t afford inconsistencies. The audio had to be flawless no matter the venue”.

Challenge

A tour across 37 completely different venues

Grupo Firme faced a significant technical challenge: with up to 24 musicians on stage and a complex combination of wind instruments, guitars, bass, drums, accordion, and multiple vocals, it was essential to have a system that allowed each instrument and voice to stand out without overlapping. As Isael Gutiérrez, Grupo Firme’s manager, explained: “We spare no expense in production because we want to deliver an exceptional show. We have received numerous compliments, especially on the audio, because it is key to connecting with the audience”.

Additionally, the tour included 37 cities across Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States, presenting another logistical challenge: the equipment had to be durable enough to withstand constant setup and teardown while also being easy to transport to optimize time and costs. With this combination of technical and operational demands, Grupo Firme needed an audio solution that delivered power, precision, and reliability throughout the tour.

“La Última Peda” kicked off at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and concluded at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, solidifying the band as one of the leading names in Latin music. In Mexico, Grupo Firme performed in Aguascalientes, Tapachula, Miguel Hidalgo (CDMX), and Monterrey. They also visited San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. In the United States, they played in San Antonio, Laredo, Houston, Miami, Tampa, Charlotte, Newark, Bristow, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Tinley Park, Austin, Edinburg, El Paso, Denver, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Fresno, Ridgefield, Seattle, Chula Vista, San José, Highland, Oakland, Palm Desert, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Napa Valley.

“What sets DAS apart is the support. From day one, we had direct contact with the service department, sales team, and management. If something happened, we could solve it immediately”.

Rod Rodríguez
Production manager of “La Última Peda”

“LARA is very consistent and offers a flat response, allowing each voice and instrument to stand out with clarity”.

Baldemar Vicente
FOH Engineer

Solution

ARA Series: powerful, efficient, and adaptable systems for large-scale touring

Instead of renting equipment in each city, as is common for large-scale tours, Grupo Firme chose to invest in a DAS Audio system. The decision was clear: they needed a versatile, powerful, and efficient system that could adapt to multiple venue configurations across Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

“When I first heard the LARA system in Miami, I was very impressed with the male vocal presence and the overall sound clarity”, recalls Rodríguez. “But it was when we tested it in a live concert that we truly realized the potential we had in our hands”.

For the tour, Grupo Firme opted for a robust setup, including 44 LARA systems, distributed as 16 per side and 12 as outfills, along with 24 LARA-SUB subwoofers, 8 SARA units for front fills, 10 ARA M-210 monitors for the stage, and 4 AERO-20 units as side fills. With this configuration, the team ensured uniform coverage in all venues, from arenas to stadiums, without compromising sound quality.

One of the biggest challenges in any major tour is the logistics of setup and teardown. In this regard, LARA proved to be a key ally thanks to its tour-optimized design.

“We can have the system flown in the air in an hour and a half and torn down in one hour and ten minutes”, explains Rodríguez. “The rigging is very easy, and the way the bumpers travel inside the truck simplifies everything. My crew loves it because it’s fast and efficient”.

Another critical point was reducing onstage noise, which is vital in a band with so many members and such high live energy. “LARA really helped clean up a lot of the stage noise. Its cardioid design gave us much better sound control, which was a huge help for our monitor engineer”.

Grupo Firme’s tour marked a major shift in how their engineers managed live sound. ALMA, DAS Audio’s control software, enabled real-time adjustments with great precision.

“At first, we were hesitant about ALMA because it was a new system”, admits Rodríguez. “But once the engineers started working with it, they didn’t want to go back. Our monitor engineer can cut frequencies without leaving his console, and our FOH engineer can make changes without touching the amps. Everything is done through the software”.

Conclusion

The turning point came when Grupo Firme’s lead singer stepped onto the B-stage during the concert and experienced the system in action.

“I remember the look of surprise on his face. He said, ‘Wow, is this the system we just bought? It sounds incredible.’ That was the moment I knew we had made the right choice,” Rodríguez recalls. “I breathed easy. We passed the test”.

Beyond the system’s quality, the production team highlighted DAS Audio’s hands-on support throughout the process. “What sets DAS apart from other brands is the support. From day one, we had direct contact with the service department, sales team, and management. If something happened, we could solve it immediately, without waiting until the next day,” says Rodríguez. “We received training before the tour and support during the first few weeks. That’s something you don’t always see in this industry”. Beyond the system’s quality, the production team highlighted DAS Audio’s hands-on support throughout the process.

“What sets DAS apart from other brands is the support. From day one, we had direct contact with the service team, sales, and management. If something came up, we could fix it immediately—no waiting until the next day”, says Rodríguez. “We had training sessions before the tour and support during the first weeks. That’s not something you always see in this industry”.

Grupo Firme’s decision to invest in their own sound system allowed them to ensure consistent audio quality at every concert while optimizing logistics and reducing long-term costs.

“This tour has been a turning point. We’ve realized that owning our own system not only improves the sound but also makes everything more efficient and cost-effective”, concludes Rodríguez. “LARA and DAS Audio gave us the solution we needed”.

Grupo Firme has taken their live sound to a new level with their commitment to a high-quality audio system. As FOH engineer Baldemar Vicente noted: “LARA is incredibly consistent and delivers a flat response, allowing every voice and instrument to shine clearly. The coverage is spectacular, maintaining the same energy throughout the entire venue”. Thanks to DAS Audio, Grupo Firme achieved a clear and balanced sound that elevated each performance on their tour.