The Impact 50 loudspeakers were installed by Cardiff-based Cynhyrchu Illicit Production, with the company's Giles Parbery providing overall project management, and were supplied through Dimension Audio of west London. The project represents the European première of 5000 Calls, with the work being replayed along the length of the Millennium Riverwalk, alongside Cardiff's River Taff and adjacent to the city's Millennium Stadium.
Originally commissioned as a permanent soundscape installation, for the 2000 Olympic site at Homebush Bay in Sydney, Australia, 5000 Calls was created by David Chesworth and Sonia Leber of Wax Sound Media, who specialize in audio and multimedia installations. A celebration of the human voice, 5000 Calls is composed of 5000 different human vocal sounds from everyday life. The Riverwalk installation in Cardiff includes locally-recorded material - fragments of traditional Welsh song, the Welsh women's hockey team and children playing football.
Composed on an Apple G4 Powerbook, the Riverwalk version of 5000 Calls was burnt to three three CDs, with the resultant six audio tracks replayed from Sony CDP-B11 CD players. The performance was mixed and distributed via a Soundcraft Spirit 28 console to the 32 Turbosound Impact 50 loudspeakers along the Riverwalk, using three QSC PLX 1602 power amplifiers.
(Ruth Rossington)
