Jens Schmidt from installation specialists Trendco and Norbert Sangermann, the acoustics expert from CAMCO responsible for fixed installations, joined forces to design a system tailored precisely to the Congress hall.
For Schmidt and Sangermann, the concept design had to accommodate possible future requirements while offering the clearest possible signal transmission. Decision-makers at the Halle Münsterland focussed strongly on the reliability of the system. The selection process for the new system involved listening to and comparing several systems, and it was the sound quality of the Nexo/CAMCO system offered by Trendco that turned out be the deciding factor.
There were, however, a number of acoustic characteristics that had to be considered. For instance, the owners of the Congress Hall didn't want any additional delay speakers in the great gallery or the auditorium area below it, but still required excellent sound coverage in these areas. This was achieved by using Nexo GEO S8 line array modules as the main sound reinforcement speakers, supported by CD12 sub-bass cabinets, all powered by CAMCO Tecton and Vortex amplifier models.
Further technical challenges were provided by the large, retractable front section of the stage and the fact that the main loudspeaker suspension points were very far apart. The use of separate centre and out-fill speaker systems addressed these issues, Nexo PS15s in the centre, PS10s serving as out-fills. On top of that, four more PS15s were used as monitors.
All systems are driven by an EtherSound audio network via a digital matrix, allowing the settings of the different sound reinforcement situations to be retrieved at the push of a button. This enables the monitor-EQing, the delay times or the array EQ, for instance, to be altered in the control room or on stage by W-Lan, while maintaining full control over the headroom of the entire system or the wedges during normal operation.
(Jim Evans)
