INDEX
“There’s a Sound at WWW that You Can’t Get Anywhere Else”(Sasaki)
When it comes to the sound system at WWW, in addition to the Heritage 3000, the Funktion-One speakers are also iconic. What are your impressions of the sound at WWW created by the combination of this console and speakers?
DMX: By the way, did you go to WWW after they started hanging the speakers? I haven’t been yet, actually.
Uchida: I did. The balance has improved. I think it’s made PA work easier.
DMX: I see. WWW has a distinctive sound, right? Including the way the Funktion-One speakers sound.
Sasaki: The sound at WWW has a sense of load. The design of the boxes is from an older era. In the past, when the power of the low-frequency speakers was insufficient, the structure of the box and its reflection would be used to produce the low-end sound. However, this made the low frequencies slower in response.
DMX: “Using backloading to bring out the low-end,” right?
Sasaki: Nowadays, the mainstream in live venues is to produce low frequencies in a flat manner, resulting in tight and extremely fast bass. In that sense, WWW has a unique sound.
Uchida: Also, the structural design of the hall means you’re looking down at the band’s performance from the front of the PA desk. It’s great to feel the live sound. I always think, “There aren’t many live venues like this,” and I appreciate the live feeling it gives.
DMX: However, when the desk changes, the sound will definitely change. Whether it gets better or not will probably be clear once it’s swapped out.
UCHIDA: That’s true. Yeah, exactly.
Sasaki: The quality will definitely change.
Uchida: But WWW has a three-dimensional structure, right? With the tiered seating. If we switch to a digital desk, it will allow for remote sound shaping using a tablet while walking around the floor. I think that could be really effective. If we can adjust the sound while checking how the floor sounds, in this particular setup, there should be more positives than negatives. That’s something you can’t do with an analog desk. So, I’m really looking forward to that.
Finally, do you have any memorable experiences at WWW that you’d like to share?
Sasaki: With the Heritage 3000 and the FUNKTION-ONE speakers, there’s a unique sound at WWW that you can’t get anywhere else, which is why I always look forward to going. But… I don’t really remember specific performances that stood out (laughs). However, there have been quite a few shows where I thought, “That went really well.”
DMX: I’ve done PA for various artists at WWW, but I’ve never had any difficulties. Even before the speakers were hung and before the power amps for the speakers changed, we were always coming up with different ideas for the PA. But honestly, I only have good memories of WWW. There’s a unique feel to that place that you can’t find anywhere else. So, if possible, I’d love for the Heritage 3000 to stay, if it can continue to be maintained.
It seems that a digital console will be introduced in the future. However, the staff at WWW reportedly carried out blind tests of different consoles’ sound qualities before making their decision.
Uchida: It would be great if we could have the option to choose between analog and digital [laughs].
Sasaki: The issue with Heritage is that there are no spare parts, so if it breaks, it’s unfixable. That’s the reality with analog equipment. We’d like to keep using it, but it’s unavoidable. Additionally, when an analog console is in bad shape, it becomes extremely hard to work with. That’s when digital consoles seem like the better choice.
DMX: The last thing you want is a sudden panic with people shouting, “I can’t hear anything!” It’s crucial for venue management to avoid situations like that.
WWW presents u0022Heritage 3000u0022 Farewell series
January 5th (Sunday) SOLD OUT
OGRE YOU ASSHOLE
January 6th (Monday) Free Admission
Merzbow
January 7th (Tuesday)
Saho Terao x Tabito Nanao x Mahito the People
January 9th (Thursday)
Minami Deutsch / Otoboke Beaver
January 10th (Friday, Late Night)
FLATTOP feat. Naoyuki Uchida
Note: FLYING RHYTHMS, initially announced as part of the lineup, has canceled their appearance due to member availability.
January 13th (Monday, National Holiday) SOLD OUT
Satoko Shibata
The legendary analog mixer “Heritage 3000” from Midas was installed at WWW as the mixing console when it first opened, and the venue will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2025.
Together with the iconic Funktion-One speakers, “Heritage 3000” has been responsible for controlling and transmitting a diverse range of sounds. However, due to the passage of time and changing circumstances, it will be replaced by a digital mixer in mid-January 2025. Moving forward, the venue will create new sonic spaces with this new setup.
To mark the farewell of the analog mixer, a special event series titled “WWW presents ‘Heritage 3000’ Farewell Series” will be held from January 5th to 13th, 2025, featuring performances by OGRE YOU ASSHOLE, MERZBOW, Saho Terao, Tabito Nanao, Mahito the People, Minami Deutsch, Otoboke Beaver, FLATTOP feat. Naoyuki Uchida, Satoko Shibata, and more. This will be the last time Heritage 3000 will be heard in action.
We invite you to enjoy this unique and irreplaceable experience, the final expression of the current WWW sound system.
For more details, visit the official Shibuya WWW website:
https://www-shibuya.jp/feature/018497.php
