Alcons takes care of sound at Outmarket

News

Rob Hughes Nov 6 2009, 10:08am

Focus Advanced Event Technology provides ribbon line arrays for Amsterdam celebrations

Focus Advanced Event Technology recently provided audio, video and lighting for 17 different locations at Amsterdam’s Uitmarkt ('Outmarket'), an annual event, which marks the beginning of the new cultural season. The event has taken place since 1977 and attracts up to 500,000 people.

The three largest stages featured Alcons pro-ribbon sound systems. At the Nieuwmarkt, the Province Noord-Holland stage hosted performances of Trijntje Oosterhuis and Acda en de Munnik. The Alcons system on this stage consisted of eighteen LR16 compact line-array modules and six LR16B high-efficiency line-arrays bass systems. These systems were amplified and controlled by Alcons ALC4 controller-amplifiers with DDP (Digital Drive Processor). Close to the Muziektheater was the Grolsch stage where on Saturday and Sunday a variety of world music, jazz and cabaret was presented. The system on this stage included 24 Alcons LR14 ultra-compact line-array systems and twelve BF302 double 15-inch subwoofers.

Most of the attention was focussed on the main stage on the Dam, in front of the Royal Palace, where artists like Matt Bianco, Wende Snijders, Ruth Jacott and Alain Clark performed. Alain Clark was broadcasted live on national television, as was the AVRO Musical ‘sing along’ program on Sunday evening.

For this stage, system tech Gijs Schouten of Focus Advanced Event Technology configured a different sound system, in cooperation with Alcons Audio.

This stage also hosted the Residence Orchestra and the Metropole Orchestra (60 members) during the three days, Alcons was asked to configure a system with maximum gain before feedback – not an easy task given such a large number of open mics on stage and the required audience SPLs.

The final system for the mainstage consisted of 18 Alcons LR16 line-array systems per side, with left and right hangs flanked by a special 12-inch mid-bass array. This was to ensure a controlled projection, with minimal spill on stage. For sub response, nine Alcons BF362 were positioned in a three-by-three, end-fire cardioid configuration, per side. For front-fills, a further six LR16 were used per side.

This approach is part of a new test program by Alcons. According to system tech Gijs Schouten the system passed the test with enthusiastic reactions from visiting engineers: “I was surprised how easily the system could be adjusted to all different styles of performances. The gain-before-feedback was very impressive, with so many open mics on stage.”

Alcons reports that the results have provided input for impending product developments.
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