The system design for the elaborate, in-the-round production is handled by Dion's long-time head of audio and first-time FOH engineer, Francois "Frankie" Desjardins, whose sound design credits include the Beatles-inspired Revolution Lounge in Las Vegas's Mirage Hotel and the Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco touring show.
Desjardins comments: "People come to hear Céline's voice first and foremost. The sound quality of the vocals is of course the most important thing. Meyer Sound products deliver incredible vocal quality and high intelligibility; they faithfully reproduce the human voice in a way no others can."
The logistics of the year-long, four-continent tour also influenced the decision. "We needed something that was compact and powerful," adds Desjardins. "This is where the advantages of Meyer Sound's self-powered system really come into play, as it's easily reconfigured. With fewer variables and Meyer Sound's tight quality control, the system can sound the same around the world, even when we're relying on local rental companies to provide equipment."
The touring system is provided by Montreal, Canada-based Solotech, which is also the sound provider for various Cirque du Soleil productions and Dion's resident show. The basic in-the-round arena system comprises dual main left-right arrays covering two sides of the square stage, each with 17 Milo loudspeakers and one Milo 120 loudspeaker per side. At each of the four corners is an array of 18 Mica loudspeakers for side PA.
(Jim Evans)
