Versengold celebrate successful KLANG upgrade for 20th Anniversary arena show

Bremen-based Folk band Versengold have recently enjoyed their biggest tour ever. With a string of sold-out performances ahead of them, they knew their current sound set up would need upgrading. 

A more transparent monitor mix solution was required to allow them to re-engage with their larger audiences, plus a mix that would offer space to hear the bigger crowds, but not allow them to over-power the acoustic instruments which are key to their six-piece ensemble. KLANG was their solution and the man behind implementing it successfully was Tjado de Vries. Choosing KLANG:konductor meant the band could enjoy effectively spaced monitor mixes while still maintaining the clarity they need to communicate with each other as they perform.

Since 2018, Versengold have been on a steep trajectory, both in terms of venue size and recognition. Going from a small, self-contained rig, where they were in charge of their own monitoring during performances, to the upgrades they now enjoy. Employing Tjado de Vries to work on their monitor mixes was the beginning of a new and improved experience for them all.

“The audio setup at the time was fairly simple, with an SD9 at front of house,” De Vries explains. “Monitoring was provided by the band itself with one of the backline staff supporting them. I was originally Front of House engineer but, with the small monitor desk maxed out, I was doing guest monitor mixes, too. 

During the 2022/23 season there was a shortage of staff, so de Vries ended up on stage covering the backline. “I realised the monitor mixes needed tweaking, so I got stuck in, riding the audience mics, adjusting a few things,” he recalls. “The band noticed the difference and that was enough for them to realise they really needed a dedicated monitor engineer, so we decided to invest in a real solution.”

De Vries had been lucky enough to try out a KLANG:vier system with another band and was impressed at how the system had dealt with big distorted guitars and loads of backing tracks. “The mix needed much more space than a tight stereo mix could provide,” he says, “and using KLANG gave each instrument the room to be a comfortable listen.”

De Vries explained the benefits to all the members of Versengold and got them to try out the KLANG demo on their phones and iPads. Giving them the chance to experience the system first hand meant they were easily convinced that the planned upgrades to their equipment should include a KLANG system. They went with KLANG:konductor because of the flexibility it afforded them. After the arena shows there was an album release tour in much more intimate clubs. Regardless of the venue size KLANG gave the band the consistency they needed to perform at their best.

De Vries expands: “After the demo, the band were excited to hear what KLANG could do for them. The system was easy to use right from the start, it was pretty much plug and play. We were using peripherals that weren’t part of the KLANG or DiGiCo family so we had some minor clocking issues, but the team at KLANG were still kind enough to help me iron out our teething troubles.”

The band love their new set up, the combined benefit of new IEMs and their new mixes, says de Vries, has been massive. “They really appreciate the wideness of the mixes, especially the string players on Violin and Nyckelharpa (key fiddle). It had an enormous effect on their stage relationship, improving the accuracy of their intonation right from the very first rehearsal. For me, the app is a real bonus. Having the screen at eye level means that I’m not looking down at the desk and getting distracted. I can keep my eyes on the band and respond to their needs pretty much instantly. Using KLANG also makes it a lot easier to get a transparent mix at lower volumes. I don’t have to use compression or drastic EQ as I might have done before. It’s been a great decision to add KLANG to our audio setup and we are happy to be a part of the KLANG family!”

The band have their sights set on international touring in the future and their KLANG system will be the perfect ‘Fly-In’ travel companion, giving them the option to just tour the Front of House desk and KLANG:konductor as the main monitor desk. They have worked hard for the last 20 years and Versengold are reaping the rewards. 

“They know that KLANG is the solution,” de Vries concludes. “It will take them to the next level and continue with them as they build on the success of their chart-topping albums ‘Was Kost De Welt’ (How much is the world?) and their most recent album ‘Lautes Gedenken’ (Loud Remembrance) released in November 2023.”