Quantums shine in Shanghai arts centre
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Officially inaugurated in October last year with a grand opening ceremony and a two-month performing season featuring about 50 diverse performances, the Performing Arts Centre has the largest professional indoor theatre in Shanghai, planned and designed by Theatre Projects.
DiGiCo Quantum and SD range of digital mixing consoles complement the setup, delivering excellent sound capabilities and versatility that allow this multi-faceted space to respond to any type of event.
A 2,500-seat theatre with professional acoustic design features DiGiCo Quantum digital mixing consoles to handle a large number of channels during live performances, with a Quantum 7 for FOH and OB, and a Quantum 338 at the monitor position.
The Black Box Arts Space, adjacent to the theatre, utilises a DiGiCo SD12-96 and SD11, with a further 10,000sq.m outdoor green space catering to the needs of diverse productions, including festivals, exhibitions, and pop-ups, bringing the latest trending events for visitors and turning the New Bund 31 into a ‘must-visit landmark to enjoy’.
Setting the scene is the five-story atrium of the Performing Arts Centres lobby, adorned with arched elements reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum, enhancing the space with a sense of smooth elegance. The theatre is designed for a 360-degree immersive experience, complemented by wall decorations inspired by Chinese folding fans. These not only elevate the acoustic facilities to a high standard, but also create memorable focal points. Throughout the performance hall, warm oak wood envelops the surroundings, featuring three levels of balconies and discreet VIP boxes hidden in between.
“DiGiCo Quantum digital mixing consoles have the familiar interface and all the advantages traditionally associated with DiGiCo, whilst also introducing new features like Spice Rack, Mustard Processing, Nodal Processing, and True Solo,” explains Cao Peijun, sales engineer at RAC. “Faster, more efficient, and more powerful, Quantum stands as the ideal and versatile solution for any engineer, providing exceptional intelligence and functionality.”
The Black Box Arts Space venue has a maximum capacity of 1,500 people, featuring a discreet 400-seat concealed seating arrangement. The seating is cleverly divided into three zones by acoustic panels, each outfitted with its own dedicated audio and lighting system. The versatility of the space caters to a diverse array of performance and exhibition requirements.
Depending on the specific needs of each live performance, the venue utilises either the DiGiCo SD12-96 or SD11, according to the needs of the performance. “In this specific configuration, we didn’t need the Theatre specific software, as the system was capable of fulfilling the requirements for routine use, including theatrical performances or small-scale concerts," explains Cao Peijun.
The installation, which took place in August last year, was led by Dafeng Industrial Co, working with DiGiCo’s official distributor in China, Racpro. “The venue was already very familiar with DiGiCo products, so the team didn’t require any in-depth training apart from familiarising themselves with the Quantum 7, which they hadn’t used before and were new to the A/B Quantum switching feature. However, they got started quickly and understood it in no time,” comments Cao Peijun.
“DiGiCo has firmly established itself as the industry standard for theatre,” Cao Peijun concludes. “In the case of the new Bund 31, the majority of the shows come from abroad and the engineer for Broadway musical The Sound of Music, for example, was delighted to see the Quantum 7 at the venue. The dual Quantum engines ensure failsafe performances, which is complemented by a robust channel configuration and user-friendly interface. This combination liberates engineers, allowing them to simply concentrate on delivering an exceptional show.”
