Þjóðleikhúsið – the National Theatre of Iceland and Reykjavik’s premier arts venue –attracts large audiences that expect the best every time the curtain raises. When it was time to update the venue’s audio equipment, Sennheiser’s Digital 6000 was its choice of wireless microphone system.

With three different shows each day and more than ten premieres each year across its five stages, the National Theatre of Iceland delivers sound design expected of a top-class venue – but the theatre is operated with a leaner team and budget than most national theatres.

National Theatre of Iceland Head of Sound, Kristinn Gauti Einarsson has worked with the same musical composer, set designer and director for six years: ‘It’s so amazing to start new, great shows with the team. Our collaboration and coordination get better all the time,’ he says Einarsson. ‘We are successful because 90 per cent of the job is communication – and good communication makes good shows.’

This trust and relationship extend to the equipment as well: ‘Our theatre has used Sennheiser in the past and their products have been rock-solid.’

Alongside a crew that works effortlessly together, it’s vital for equipment to be just as intuitive and dependable. When making the switch to digital, the National Theatre chose to invest in a future with Sennheiser, acquiring a 32-channel Digital 6000 wireless microphone system with Sennheiser SK 6212 mini-bodypack transmitters.

‘We sometimes have three different shows per day, so ease of use has been crucial for us,’ Einarsson says. ‘Precision is also important because it is not a one-time show at a festival.’

The Digital 6000 has rapidly demonstrated its value. Its intermodulation-free RF technology ensures a higher channel count – with reliable transmission even in very narrow frequency spaces. The system delivers audibly better sound quality and a wider dynamic range, thanks to the Sennheiser Digital Audio Codec (SeDAC).

Created by Sennheiser to be the new reference for dynamic stage performances and production situations that require discrete transmission technology, the SK 6212 transmitters have impressed the National Theatre of Iceland for their tough, all-metal build, compact dimensions and long operating time.

‘The small SK 6212 transmitters are a very convenient option for theatres,’ comments Einarsson. ‘You can hide them easily and the actors sometimes forget that they are wearing them. We no longer have to worry about batteries because the SK 6212s last the whole day.’

The transmitter batteries are recharged in the rackmount L 6000 charger, which Einarsson finds ‘amazing’. In addition, the rechargeable battery technology helps the team to improve their environmental footprint.

With Digital 6000, the National Theatre of Iceland is seeking to build another long-lasting professional relationship. ‘Our Sennheiser EM 1046 from the nineties still works perfectly even though it is nearly as old as me, Einarsson reports. ‘Our experience of the Digital 6000 has confirmed that Sennheiser is just as reliable today.’

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