The unusual dimensions of the venue presented a particular challenge for Skan when designing the sound system - the building is 160m by 20m, curved and very reverberant. The system design was further complicated by the limited strength of the roof structure. Added to the challenges presented by the building, Exposure's specification called for the system to provide flexibility and zoning as the Postbahnhof needed dedicated systems for the catwalk, dance floor, downstairs exhibition area and for overall background playback, with all zones routed to each other to fill in any gaps in the evening's program.
Fitch's solution was to use more than 60 small speakers - a combination of JBL C25s, Skan's WCX passive speakers and Turbosound TQ-440SPs with Turbosound TSW-721 21" subs. The system was controlled by two Midas Venice 160 consoles, one acting as the main console and handling playback for the catwalk show and the second controlling DJs and percussionists. The time alignment and matrixing for the multi-zoned system was dealt with by Klark Teknik 9848 loudspeaker processors feeding into Lab Gruppen amps, providing 18 time lines into four quad amp racks.
Skan's technicians Matt Vickers, Ant Carr and Peter Whitelaw were responsible for installing the speakers, ensuring all cabling was hidden and operating the show. This was the second event that Skan had worked on with Exposure, having previously provided audio systems for a Nike party. "The event was deemed a great success by all concerned and Matt, Ant and Pete were crucial part in facilitating this on site," says producer Wendy Robinson of Exposure. "From my perspective it was fantastic to know that I could trust them all to deal with key clients directly."
(Lee Baldock)
