Occupying more than 100 acres in Zhengzhou and welcoming almost 10,000 visitors each day, Unique Henan: Land of Drama is described as a self-guided maze comprising 56 courtyards, 21 theatres and the largest immersive theatre complex in the world. It tells the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilisation around the Henan region using multi-media and immersive live theatre involving more than 800 performers.
Many elements of the main and the many stand-alone sound systems are built on Audinate Dante audio networks managed and monitored using Dante Domain Manager.
The many lighting, video, and sound systems are controlled by a mix of pre-programmed, synchronised, time code-based presentations, audio-triggered routines, as well as live production and mixing.
‘This is like a theme park, but it’s all theatre and A/V experience-based,’ says Audinate APAC Marketing Manager, Steven Cai. ‘For sound design, each theatre has very different venue characteristics, different performance forms, and different construction conditions. The only way to manage such a set of venues and bring consistency and reliability to the project was to design all audio systems around a Dante network with many Dante-enabled products.’
Cai says that the vast number of loudspeaker points throughout the Land of Drama require a very flexible sound system architecture to accommodate evolving, ongoing production and space changes. The main theatres, micro theatres and outdoor scene spaces are all built on the Dante system, which significantly simplifies the cable infrastructure. The three main theatres work as independent networks, and the micro theatres and the scene spaces interconnect through an optical fibre network.
‘The A/V integrator for this project, Advanced Communication Equipment (ACE), did an amazing job,’ Cai says. ‘This is essentially more than 100 A/V installations all wrapped up in one huge project. Many spaces work independently, and many are tied together. Some sound systems are hidden for background music, and some are large full-on line-array, concert-level productions. They even have mobile sound systems that can be relocated and positioned as needed to better cover larger crowds. The flexibility required here is like nothing else.’
‘Much of the sound system architecture is based on centralised control,’ adds Audinate APAC Solution Manager, Andy Wei. ‘The sound source equipment and the primary and backup digital mixers are located in a master control room. System digital processors and amplifiers are installed across four separate equipment rooms. Optical fibre interfaces are located at the performance venues, which can be connected to on-site mobile broadcast computers, wireless microphones, and other equipment as needed. All devices are connected through fibre to form a complete network enabling quick access, configuration, and management of the system at any network point.’
With such a large and complex system, hundreds of Dante-enabled devices are connected to the network. Core components include multiple Soundcraft Vi1000 and Vi2000 mixing desks, Shure ULX-D Series digital wireless microphones, and a range of BSS digital processors.
For signal routing and device control, powerful management software is required. Dante Domain Manager (DDM) software is used for the network routing and configuration of the entire system. The system primarily uses a multichannel form of arranging the loudspeakers. No matter the location, there are speakers that can be positioned to enhance the sense of an immersive sound experience. At the same time, each speaker channel can be processed separately to facilitate even more processing flexibility.
Audio System Administrator Pang explains: ‘DDM gave us power and control over the Dante network, ensuring the network was not only more secure, but also more scalable. Our team, as well as the entire management team, are really pleased with the results, meaning DDM is now a non-negotiable tool for us in future Dante projects.’
Dante Domain Manager is a server-based audio network solution that allows managers to define separate, non-interfering groups of devices that can only be accessed by authorised users. Support staff can stay on top of issues with a system-wide dashboard and set of alerts and audit logs to track and troubleshoot.
‘With the evolving nature of the programmes and performances, the content, loudspeaker positions, and the connected equipment in use are constantly changing; only a Dante network managed with Dante Domain Manager could take on a project of this scale,’ Cai says. ‘Along with flexibility, sound quality and system reliability are also critical. The system – in all spaces – sounds great, is extremely stable, and the client is thrilled with the results.’
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