With an on-stage orchestra, a cappella vocal performances, large-group sequences and loud, complicated battle scenes transitioning throughout the entire play, they needed a verstile audio system and ultimately selected AKG's DMS 700 wireless microphone system and JBL VRX loudspeakers.
AKG DMS 700 digital wireless microphone systems were outfitted with a variety of AKG handheld mics, such as the C5 condenser, D5 dynamic, D7 dynamic handheld. The most impressive feature, according to Bullard, was the digital system's ability to do frequency scanning for the entire spectrum and automatically determine the optimal channels to use.
Open mics for on-stage musicians created a challenge. Acoustic leakage from traditional stage monitors led Bullard and Schreier to outfit the Whisper House singers with AKG IVM 4 in ear monitors using AKG SPR4 pocket receivers. Bullard reports, "The male lead wasn't accustomed to using in-ear monitors, but once he heard his vocal through the AKG IVM4 system he said 'this is fantastic.'
Left and right clusters of JBL VRX932LAP Powered 12-inch 2-way line array loudspeakers were suspended from the proscenium for the orchestra-level audience, and two arrays of VRX928LA speakers targeted at the balcony to provide even coverage throughout.
To reinforce sound effects, a surround sound system was installed incorporating JBL AE Compact series AC26 loudspeakers. "The AE series speakers were positioned close to the audience and gave full 120 x 60ft coverage without overwhelming the front row," commented Ballard. "The VRX and AE series speakers that we used here are also very versatile, and with this musical, we had to really push the limits in terms of different audio applications."
Crown iTech amplifiers powered the JBL speakers , and audio was mixed using a Soundcraft Vi6 digital console outfitted with Lexicon FX6 reverbs and a rack-mounted Lexicon PCM 96 Processor. Bullard and Schreier were able to remotely configure Crown and JBL system components using Harman HiQnet control protocol and Harman System Architect software which greatly enhanced the workflow.
(Jim Evans)
