Soundweb London DSP devices from BSS Audio play a significant role in the signal distribution across this complex.
Much of the NeckarPark development, including the Carl Benz Center (which houses the Arena), has been financed by one of the most important private investors in Stuttgart, Rudi Häussler of the Häussler Group. In addition to the Arena, the Carl Benz complex contains the four-star Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, a supporters' shop, fitness centre and restaurant as well as being the base for VfB Stuttgart's youth academy.
While all these neighbouring facilities function independently, under separate management, the future could theoretically see them linked on a CobraNet digital backbone, using networked Soundweb London devices.
Both the Porsche Arena and Hans-Martin-Schleyer Halle, equipped by the company Hellwig Tonanlagen, already use a Soundweb London CobraNet network which allows audio to be transmitted in each direction. But more recently it has been the new Carl Benz Arena that has given Germany's Harman Pro distributors, Audio Pro Heilbronn, and installation company, Aveo GmbH, cause to celebrate. Between them they have masterminded the fit-out of the 2,000-capacity (1500sq.m) multi-function venue with a HiQnet system using CobraNet to give it infinite flexibility.
The Bodnegg-based integrators have traditionally specialised in the high-end residential market. But their general manager Wolfgang Huber also has a strong pedigree in the professional market, and it was he who contacted the Heilbronn distributors. He explained that the Arena, which measures 55m long, 28 m wide and 12 m high, would need to accomplish much more than host social functions for VfB Stuttgart, and additionally take live feeds from the stadium on match days. In order to gain maximum utilisation (and revenue) it would also need to be optimised for conferences, congress meetings, small fairs, product launches and musical theatre.
Dirk Hartmann from Audio Pro Heilbronn's project team says: "Essentially, the venue wanted a portable rack which could be used in either of the FOH positions or back in the control room, and the ability to use the PA in both directions depending on the function. To change location they wanted to install the loudspeakers on the wall and fire in the direction of the glass wall - but we fought against it."
Hartmann proposed a fully-redundant system based around Soundweb London, designed around two stage positions and several options at FOH. While a pair of Soundweb BLU-80 devices reside in the FOH rack, two BLU-32 devices provide I/O expansion in the stage rack, with a third BLU-80 situated in the control room.
Nine JBL VRX932LA constant curvature line array enclosures are divided into three clusters to form an LCR system above the stage, powered by eight Crown CTs 3000 amplifiers, fitted with the PIP-USP3/CN module for inter-connectivity. Eight optional JBL VRX918S subs and SRX712M floor monitors have been supplied, along with a 6-channel AKG WMS4000 UHF wireless mic system.
Audio is available via CobraNet throughout the entire arena, with D/A and A/D signal conversion carried out by Soundweb.
(Jim Evans)
