In contrast to the Edinburgh event, where for several years John Del'Nero has used TiMax to subtly move amplified content alongside the natural acoustic output from the bands, the sheer scale of the Aussie Stadium required a different approach. Fully amplified moving audio images were created to track the various marching bands as they traversed the length and breadth of the massive stadium in front of a life-size replica of the famous Edinburgh Castle ramparts and drawbridge. Sydney-based Norwest Productions provided the multi-channel distributed EAW sound system along with their TiMax ImageMaker16 system and TiMax Showcontrol PC.
Sound supervisor Scott Willsallen programmed multiple delay-based localisations into TiMax for assigning to a combination of artists' radio mics and arena boundary mics, so that the performers could be panned around the stadium by making corresponding mouse movements on the TiMax PC's Effects Screen. The system allowed multiple cues to be programmed with pan moves recorded in rehearsal for instant replay during the show. By using varying precedence delays to create the desired localisations, the static and dynamic pan imaging proved more effective over a wider audience area than would be possible with conventional level panning.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo: A Salute To Australia has since been widely acclaimed as one of the most successful large-scale entertainment events ever staged in Australia; the facts and figures speak for themselves, from the 1,100sq.m of plywood and 12,000 litres of paint and plaster used in the castle construction, down to 1,200 hats and 50 litres of sunscreen to protect artists and crew during rehearsals.
(Lee Baldock)
