latest news headlines
AIDAdiva Cruise Ship Sets Sail
Cadac Electronics reports that the German cruise ship AIDAdiva recently set sail, complete with a 64 input Cadac R-Type Live Production Console and three D16 Digital Mix Matrices as part of its state of the art sound and complex multimedia system. Designed by Hendrik Maassen and Malte Polli-Holstein, the ship's system was supplied and installed by the specialist German systems house, Amptown Sound & Communication (ASC).
The R-Type provides the main FOH mixing facilities in the AIDAdiva's Theatrium, incorporating more than 3000 sq metres of central entertainment area and stage over three decks, linked by an impressive open stairway. Comprising a giant glass and steel dome, the Theatrium plays host to up to five different shows a night across a wide range of production styles, including live bands, competitions, classical soloists and musicals. Involving more than two years' planning, the installation was completed in a gruelling three-month timeframe before the AIDAdiva was launched in Hamburg.
Central to the Theatrium is the concept of guests always maintaining a visual and aural link with the entertainment, as they move around the open area between bars, restaurants, shops and the casino. AIDAdiva represented the first joint project for Hendrik Maassen and Malte Polli-Holstein, teaming up to create a design that would fulfil the architect's stringent aesthetic demands, as well as cope with the hectic and diverse schedule of on-board entertainments. A veteran of two previous AIDA builds, Hendrik expanded on the challenges: "We needed a highly flexible and capable solution that would deliver a top quality sound, reaching a lot of people in an architecturally and acoustically challenging space. We worked very closely with the acoustician to get the right sound, overcoming the problems with having so much glass, as well as catering for the open nature of the Theatrium and the dome at the top. We decided that a line array was the only real option, using the Meyer Sound M1D system, involving more than 100 cabinets on three different levels.
"In parallel, we wanted a top quality console, with Cadac representing the natural choice. With so many productions to set up before the launch, we needed a very flexible console, and with the R-Type/D16 combination, we were able to get everything working quickly. One D16 is used as an input module, with the other two for the matrix, EQ etc. The D16s have worked exceptionally well - there are a lot of subs in the auditorium, and we knew that we would have trouble with them becoming imprecise and boomy. With the D16s, we were able to tune them to overcome this and get a great-sounding result. The real key to this project's success involved a departure from the usual way of working - instead of each discipline working in isolation, we managed to get everyone together at the start. It did involve some compromises to get the best working combination, but when it came to the installation period, everything came together really well."
8th August 2007
HEADLINES
news archive
search stories
FOOTNOTE: Select the news type you require in the red band above; this will enable you to see the current news stories from that section
© 1999 - 2012 Entertainment Technology Press Limited News Stories
