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“It was a project that couldn’t be done by the book, because there is no book for this,” said Jeroen. “Surround sound was essential and my first idea was to place all speakers on the revolving turntable. However, because of the weight and the momentum when turning the wheel, that wasn’t feasible.”
The solution was a huge surround system fed via an optical cable, fitted on a drum system that turns through a total of 7,000° to avoid the possibility of breakage. Supply and installation was performed by Amsterdam-based Focus Advanced Event Technologies with Meyer Sound’s D-Mitri digital audio platform chosen for audio processing and distribution, and an LCS CueConsole the choice for the Front of House position. This was deemed to be the only desk that could accommodate the number of inputs and outputs needed with the re- quired audio quality to get the maximum out of the Alcons pro-ribbon arrays and ClickTracks program utilised for effects. Each scene features a L-C-R array of Alcons LR14 pro ribbon loudspeakers, plus a 15-inch sub, 14 arrays in all, with additional fill and delay cabinets. The LR14’s are driven by 30 ALC4 amplified loudspeaker controllers. A huge, 144 x 144 matrix routes audio from the actors and a hidden band to the main loudspeaker system and three delay arrays of three further LR14’s each. The system is configured so that, as the seating revolves, the right- hand array from the previous scene becomes the left array of the
Image © Joris van Bennekom
“You would have expected much more drastic phase behaviour while the
audience was moving, but the sound is extremely smooth and stable throughout.”
speech intelligibility is excellent at both high and low SPLs. This is a very varied production, even the styles of music change from scene to scene, so the main system had to be highly adaptable.” Meyer Sound’s D-Mitri digital audio platform combines with its SpaceMap multi-channel surround panning, Wild Tracks audio playback and the LCS CueConsole control surface. “D-Mitri and SpaceMap were critical to making the audio work transparently and to full effect,” said Jeroen. “Often the audience rotates while the actors are walking in front of the sets, sometimes moving halfway around the circle while talking. Fortunately, the transition from one speaker cluster to the next is handled seamlessly by D-Mitri, so the sound operator can focus on the mix.” To handle all the audio signal processing, matrixing and intricately pre-programmed panning, the production relies on 14 integrated D- Mitri modules. Two DCP core processors, and a DCM-2 core matrix are at the heart of the system, linked to four DAI-24 analogue input and DAO-24 analogue output frames plus one DDIO-24 digital input / output frame. Wild Tracks provides audio playback using a DWTRX unit with dual solid state drives, and a DGPIO unit communicates with the turntable automation. Operators mix the show on a CueCon- sole with one transporter module and five fader modules augmented by four Mac Mini computers and touch-screen displays. Two Apple iPads are available for the RF tech and FOH engineer to monitor different channels and make adjustments remotely during rehearsals and the show. With several processors distributed around the stage near the inputs and output amplifiers, the D-Mitri system is set up to manage all
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next one and the quality of the Alcons LR14’s was crucial in making these transitions smooth and lifelike.
“I chose the LR14 because of its linear response and exceptional sound quality,” continued Jeroen. “As the audience is moving round, the change from listening to one cluster to another is hardly audible. And as we move the sound across the arrays, it is a remarkably smooth transition from one to the next. You would have expected much more drastic phase behaviour while the audience was moving, but the sound is extremely smooth and stable throughout.” Jeroen has been specifying Alcons systems for some time, because of both the quality of the product and the flexibility of the company. “They are always ready to go that extra mile to help and ensure that the systems deliver the very best sound,” he stated. “I love the sound of Alcons loudspeakers, the high end is so open and clean and
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