According to Acoustic Dimensions senior consultant Jeff Miller, the system presented many challenges due to the amphitheatre's proximity to its neighbours. With houses close by on both sides and behind the amphitheatre, there was a need to control where the sound ended up as much as possible; there was also a need to complete the project installation in a short time frame. Acoustic Dimensions ultimately chose JBL loudspeakers for their ability to deliver even coverage throughout various seating areas with good intelligibility and natural tonal response.
"The Moonlight staff was concerned that the loudspeaker manufacturer be someone who could meet the customisation needs of the project on the short delivery schedule available," said Miller. "They also wanted it to be someone that the various guest sound designers that work in the facility would be happy with. JBL fit the bill perfectly on both accounts."
The installation features PD5322/64-WRX and PD5322/43-WRX weatherised loudspeakers that are arranged in an exploded mono cluster for vocal reinforcement. AE Compact Series loudspeakers are used for front-fills and down-fills. The music system is comprised of Vertec VT4888 midsize line array elements and VT4882 arrayable subwoofers, configured under the overhang of the stage house, while VRX932LA-1 compact line array speakers cover the upper lawn area on delay towers. For theatre use, the orchestra comes through the Vertec rig while the actors are mixed through the PD rig. The delay system gets a mix of both signals, and some additional AE Compact boxes are used as monitor and effects speakers.
"The client is very happy with the final product," Miller continued. "The sound is very even and controlled, the system is extremely versatile, and the speakers just sound great. This is a unique venue and the new JBL speaker system has them perfectly positioned to move to the next level."
(Jim Evans)
