The original installation took place in 2004 when Eden first launchedthe Time of Gifts concept, a series of seasonal events, which includedmusical performance and the creation of an ice rink for visitors toenjoy. An iDR-8 digital mixing processor was selected for its ability toprovide both sophisticated processing and mixing capabilities.
"The rink is a semi open air structure which posed two problems,"explains Steve Yelland from SPS Systems, who assists Eden with its soundand light requirements. "Firstly, the acoustics are difficult to manageas audio bounces off the ice and the sides of the dome. Secondly, therewere restrictions on the position of the speakers as there was no roomat ground level to install them, which meant all speakers - tops andsubs - had to be installed in the roof, making it difficult to createthe right balance. However, the iDR system deals with both these issuesas its comprehensive DSP settings made it easy to programme accuratetime-aligned delay zones around the rink, creating a seamless audioexperience for the skating public."
The iDR system is also programmed to mix musical sources and microphoneinputs, including the automatic ducking facility to enable staff to makeannouncements. Recently, a PL-4 remote control plate has been installedto improve the ease of use for Eden staff. Yelland explains: "Staff were going into the control room where the racks are kept toalter the volume level but they were altering the overall volume not thechannel level, which was leading to confusion and a quiet microphonelevel. By installing the PL-4 in a conveniently situated side panel,staff have easy access to volume control of the music and not themaster. The microphone is also kept there for them to make announcementsat the end of each skating session. The staff are over the moon as it'smade their jobs so much easier."
The Eden Project environmental complexcovers 35 acres of a former Cornish clay-mining pit, containing thelargest greenhouses in the world - two translucent domes, which eachemulate a natural biome housing plant species from around the world. Thelarger Humid Tropics biome emulates a tropical environment, whilst theWarm Temperate biome emulates the Mediterranean, Southwest Australia,and parts of South Africa and California.
The second iDR-8 unit is installed in the Humid Tropics biome, managingaudio distribution through a Bose speaker system positioned discreetlyaround the dome to provide complete coverage of all areas. This enablesvisitors to enjoy an ambient musical soundtrack whilst exploring thetropical dome.
The Warm Temperate biome is used to host various musical events thattake place throughout the year, serviced by an Allen & Heath 16-channelMixWizard console or a 32-channel ML4000 VCA console for larger events -such as Live 8's Africa Calling concert in 2005 - with MC2 amplificationand an EM Acoustic speaker system, similarly installed at strategicpoints around the dome.
"Both these desks more than satisfy our requirements. The MixWizard iscompact so as to fit in a small space, yet has great capacity for mostof the events we run. Generally I use the auxes to feed four zones andstill have room for monitor feeds to create an elaborate and rich mixover the dome. I can feed certain instruments or vocals to specificzones to best suit the performance. The ML4000 is fantastic for thelarger events we run as the VCA's offer great flexibility, amplecapacity, and the sound quality is second to none."
(Chris Henry)
