Aside from the near deafening ambient noise, the other challenge is the sheer size of the areas needing coverage. The purpose-built distributed system can cover nearly a full mile of show line. Using a pair of 5.8GHz wireless remote systems, the loudspeakers can be placed anywhere along the ramp where extra coverage is needed. "In air shows, the front line coverage is easy," says Olmstead. "It's the back of the airport ramp that's the challenge. That's where the RSH462s really shine."
In addition to the typical festival needs of public address, paging parents for lost children and other announcements, each act usually provides a music track to accompany the narration. "We're usually cranking everything from military music to hard-edged hip hop or metal," says Olmstead. "There's also always a need to 'go live to the cockpit' so the pilot can talk to the crowd over VHF radio."
"I've been working with live sound and distributed systems for more than twenty years, and Community is the only product I've used that can adapt to the more discerning ear of today's listening public while still maintaining the ruggedness required for outdoor use," Olmstead concludes. "
(Jim Evans)
