EM Acoustics rides the Sky Lion at Legoland
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The new attraction forms part of Legoland’s most recent development, Mythica, an area that was inaugurated for the park’s reopening in early 2021. The Legoland production team overseeing the design and installation of the new ride called on their long-term audio supplier and consultant, Dave Shepherd of D.S. Audio to ensure the audio experience was the best possible. Shepherd specified a system based on EM Acoustics’ new flagship Reference Series R10 system.
Shepherd’s brief was straightforward enough – to design a world class sound system for the new Flying Theatre ride with consideration to budget and future technical expansion. Shepherd began the project by conducting extensive research on similar installations in the U.S. in order to improve on known issues, namely intelligibility. Following his research Shepherd decided on an EM Acoustics system built around a core of R10s.
“The ride includes a 15m high parabolic metal screen and three floors of moving gondolas to create an immersive flying experience through the new World of Mythica,” explains Shepherd. “With localised scent, water spray and wind devices on each gondola adding to the immersive experience, it was essential that the dynamic audio content be an integral part of that element, adding excitement yet feeling totally natural.”
Shepherd’s research had already shown that intelligibility was a known problem in some similar rides in the U.S., which meant that loudspeaker choice and placement were critical. “I recommended the R10s from EM Acoustics, as the almost clinical response of these loudspeakers combined with exceptionally low cabinet resonance compared to similar products, ensures the audio reaches the guests with minimal distruption from the perforated metal screen,” notes Shepherd.
“As the ride building was almost a perfect cube with limited acoustic treatment, the chosen speaker had to do the vast share of the work in delivering intelligible audio to the listener,” he continues. “With a highly dynamic musical score and dramatic sound effects, it would be all too easy for the acoustics in the environment to impair the audio content, so speaker choice and placement were a key part of the design. The rigging flexibility, and choice of waveguides available as standard on the R10 also played a key role in them becoming the obvious solution.”
“We used a total of 10 R10s distributed behind the curved screen screen in such a manner that we avoided any reflections from the screen itself (which was an issue in similar rides elsewhere) and were able to position the detailed audio exactly where it needed to be.”
To enhance the cinematic experience of the ride, three EM Acoustics S-218 reflex loaded subwoofers are placed in a steered cardioid format at the base of the screen to allow guests to experience the impact of the full spectrum of the orchestral score and the dramatic accompanying sound effects. A range of EM Acoustics DQ Series amplifiers complete the line-up.
Following the completion of the new ride, work began on upgrading the control system for the LEGO Studio 4D cinema, which had been in place since 2003 and was starting to show its age. In light of the success of the audio system in the ‘Ride of the Sky Lion’, Shepherd specified the same Reference Series R10 enclosures for the main LR elements - a choice that was wholly endorsed by the production team. These complemented the existing EM Acoustics MSE-159 centre and EMS-81 fill speakers that were installed a few years ago to replace previous failed components of the system.
“The flexibility of the Reference Series as well as its slim profile allowed me to position them in a more suitable place than the existing speakers to give a more natural placement as part of the 15.1 system as well as giving a vastly improved sound,” remarks Shepherd.
In addition to the R10s, two EM S-218 subwoofers were installed to upgrade the LFE element of the system and help rejuvenate the cinema for the modern audience.
James Dobbs, global entertainment manager for Legoland Parks concludes: “The decision to use D.S. Audio and EM Acoustics was an easy one,” he says. “We’ve been working with Dave Shepherd for many years now and we trust his judgement. The audio system in the new MYTHICA ride is nothing short of spectacular so it was a logical step to adopt a similar approach to the cinema which hadn’t really been upgraded since it opened in 2003.”
