The project saw Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme supply a new stage management system, new microphones and a hard-of-hearing system, as well as equipping the control room, installing a video and antenna system, and the hazard detection/voice alarm system.
The package also included the consultation and a maintenance and service contract, so that the theatre benefits from a coherent system with extensive in-service support. ‘We specialise in offering our customers individual solutions,’ explains Detlef Werner, the systems integrator’s Technical Project Manager. ‘These are based on carefully selected audio, video and media systems with a stage management console, the seamless integration of third-party products, or a mix of both.’
A team supervised by the systems integrator’s project manager, Stefan Laubereau, and site manager Ronald Prüfert began to dismantle the old system in late 2014. Meanwhile, Werner began planning the new system based on the specifications provided by Jörn Hoffmeier of ADA Acoustics & Media Consultants. These plans provided the ‘script’ for all subsequent work by the Mediagroup team for the following 12 months. Almost everything was to be renewed – the PA system, the mixing consoles and stageboxes, the stage management console, and the voice alarm system, which was installed by the systems integrator’s specialist division based in Chemnitz.
The new audio, video and media system is for the most part based on third-party products. Data and audio connections for and Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing system were made using Cat6 data cables. The theatre in Wolfsburg ordered two new mixing consoles, one for the control room and the other for mobile applications. Playout devices include Denon and Tascam units, and the sound reinforcement system is from Kling & Freitag.
The mixing set-up is based around an A&H iLive T-80 digital mixing console, supported by an iLive IDR-32 digital stagebox/mix rack and iLive M-Dante-A audio interface with virtual soundcard software. This is supplemented by a 28-fader iLive T-112 digital mixing console with iLive IDR-48 and iLive IDR-16 digital stagebox/mixracks. The flown loudspeaker system comprises 16 high-performance Sequenza 5W line array elements and four Sequenza 5B subwoofers, powered by a Topas DSP amplifier system. The FOH system is supplemented by a K&F CA 1001.SP two-way full-range system.
The stage management system was designed and built by Salzbrenner, and includes several Delec Oratis components for intercom applications. The systems integrator’s subsidiary added voice alarm functionality to this system. Combining these two aspects offers the advantage that the system can be used not only in case of emergency but can also be used for paging, for example in the artists dressing rooms.
Everything from the console to the line array to the wired and wireless microphones, has been replaced, which is why the theatre’s sound engineers were trained by specialists from the systems integrator. This has enabled the theatre engineers to acquire all the necessary operating routines quickly and safely. With the successful and on-time hand-over of the system in at the end of 2015 most of the contract was completed. Mediagroup specialists remained on-hand to assist the theatre sound engineers for the re-opening ceremony, with the Brunswick State Orchestra in January 2016.
‘You can tell instantly that Hans Scharoun was one of the most innovative architects of theatres of his time,’ Laubereau reports. ‘The building’s acoustics are amazing, not least due to several acoustic tricks in its architecture. There is no doubt in my mind that the venue is now on course for a glorious future.
