Another constant was the participation of Weilheim-based production company TC Showtechnik. This was the eighth time the company led by CEOs Martin Schulze and Stefan Rehthaler had been charged with responsibility for the sound reinforcement, both piste-side and in front of the show stage in the Kurpark.
"This year, the variations of the weather were almost beyond belief," reports Schulze. "When we were setting up, the temperature was above zero and it was actually raining. By the second weekend, we were looking at temperatures of -26 degrees Celsius on the piste. Sound systems capable of enduring fluctuations of that order are not ten a penny, which is at least one of the reasons why this year TC Showtechnik once again opted for loudspeakers and amplifiers bearing the EV logo."
Whilst the EV logo may not have changed, the specialists did come up with a slightly different sound reinforcement concept this year, based on multiple line arrays of different sizes all united by a powerful Electro-Voice N8000-1500 controller matrix. "The aim was to provide separate coverage for multiple zones, each of which could be controlled independently," says Schulze. "The various zones were designed to complement, yet never interfere with, one another. And the plan worked." To provide homogeneous coverage for all the spectators following the competition live, the team from TC Showtechnik assigned two line arrays to the grandstands, with further enclosures hanging from six strategically positioned towers.
For the closing straight alone, 28 XLE181 two-way loudspeaker elements and 8 XCS-312 cardioid subs from Electro-Voice were used, as well as 12 D8 loudspeakers from Dynacord. To provide powerful coverage of the entertainment programme on the show stage in Garmisch's Kurpark, the TC Showtechnik team deployed an Electro-Voice XLC line array with 12 XLC127DVX forming the centrepiece and 6 Electro-Voice XLE181 and 10 Electro-Voice Xsubs the ancillary elements of the set-up.
The nerve centre of the production was the N8000-1500 matrix controller from Electro-Voice
Another innovation for the 2012 World Cup production was the use of XCS312 cardioid subs from Electro-Voice. The baptism of fire - or in this case, ice - for the 3 x 12" cabinets turned out to be a triumph. "With the XCS312, we were able to ply spectators in the grandstand with full sub-bass," reports Schulze. "In the sensitive TV area, however, nothing of that was audible. Our clients were aware of what had been achieved and were highly appreciative."
(Jim Evans)
