WITH MILO, VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW

DELIVERS A FEAST FOR THE EYES AND EARS

“CONSISTENCY AND CONTROL

WERE THE KEY FACTORS.

EVEN COVERAGE

THROUGHOUT THE AUDIENCE WAS OUR PRIMARY GOAL, AND THE MEYER SOUND SYSTEM DELIVERED WITHIN 1 DB AT ALL SEATS.”

— ERICH BECHTEL

SOUND DESIGNER

VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW

WITH HOSTESS HEIDI KLUM leading a glittering parade of supermodels down the runway inside New York’s Lexington Avenue Armory, the Victoria’s Secret Fash- ion Show certainly revealed a sumptuous feast for the eyes. The videotaping for CBS was also a party for the ears, with a pulsating soundtrack mixed by renowned DJ Jeremy Healy and live performances by the Black Eyed Peas all potently re- produced by a camera-friendly phalanx of 128 Meyer Sound loudspeakers.

For sound designer Erich Bechtel of ADI:Audible Difference Inc., the assign- ment was clear-cut. “The production company wanted the system to steer clear of all camera sightlines and yet still sound good and loud,” says Bechtel.

To overcome multiple obstacles, Bechtel devised a distributed system of 15 short arrays: seven arrays of six-each MILO line array loudspeakers firing from the stage, plus eight arrays of five-each MICA line array loudspeakers spaced around the periphery. Twenty-four 700-HP subwoof- ers were placed underneath the seat- ing area. Signals were timed, equalized, and distributed via a Galileo loudspeaker management system.

“Bass was tricky as we had to fire in three different directions,” notes David Kotch, FOH engineer. “We overcame the ab- normalities by flipping one side out of polarity and adjusting the timing in Galileo, and the results were highly successful.”

Additional Meyer Sound loudspeakers— six each UPQ-1P and CQ-1—were de- ployed as monitors for the runway stage and dance pit, while ten UPA-1P loud- speakers were distributed in backstage areas. All Meyer Sound equipment, along with video projection equipment and rigging, was provided by Solotech with logistical coordination by David Shapiro.

While the visuals clearly played a vital role in the glamorous runway show, the vibrant, powerful sound effectively pushed the boundaries of a fashion show experi- ence. “Overall, the production compa- ny was extremely happy with Solotech, ADI, and Meyer Sound,” Kotch concludes. “As this show progresses and the sound evolves, Meyer Sound continues to be the right choice.”

Other members of the audio team included Randy Hansen, and Tom Holmes. Lighting equipment was supplied by PRG.

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