Known as Norway’s Fairytale Park, Hunderfossen attracts more than 250,000 visitors each summer to more than 60 family attractions. The park recently unveiled its newest adventure, Musikkfabrikken (Music Factory), an interactive exploration of classical music that blends visual art and animated characters, assisted by Genelec Smart IP loudspeaker systems.
Housed in an unused 4D cinema, Musikkfabrikken was developed by Norwegian classical pianist and professor of piano Sigurd Slåttebrekk, who worked with Hunderfossen and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra to present classical music in a more accessible and exciting light for adults and children alike.
Norwegian integrator Bravo was tasked with finding a suitable sound system with audiovisual consultant Benum taking a key role in the attraction’s success.
Slåttebrekk’s classical expertise meant he knew exactly what he was looking for when it came to sound quality and impact: ‘Sigurd was heavily involved in the selection process,’ says Benum Product Manager, Bjørn Erik Hexeberg, who led the sound design and testing for Musikkfabrikken. ‘We ran about five or six demos, each time testing new elements – volume, control and so on.’
After listening to the music and sound effects that had been mixed for the attraction through each loudspeaker, it became clear that Slåttebrekk and the Bravo team were leaning towards Genelec Smart IP: ‘Not only did it sound incredible, but the control and easy integration with Q-Sys was a major plus for the smooth operation of the interactive attraction,’ Slåttebrekk says. ‘During the demos, we spent a lot of time discussing PoE loudspeakers and using Q-Sys to manage different zones. As Q-Sys formed the backbone of the whole project, integrating Smart IP loudspeakers was straightforward. It gave us precise control and real-time status monitoring of each loudspeaker.’
Another essential tool was Genelec’s Smart IP Manager software, which was used to configure the Smart IP models before integrating them with Q-Sys.
When it came to the installation, loudspeaker placement was crucial. In the waiting area, colourful animated characters appear on screen to perform for the visitors waiting to enter the main cinema show. ‘My original plan was to position loudspeakers in a straight line from the front to the back of the room,’ Hexeberg explains. ‘We set everything up in the Benum office first – replicating the size, layout, and ceiling height of each zone.’ The waiting area features sloped zig-zag ramps, giving visitors clear sightlines to the front screen. ‘After testing in the office, I found that placing loudspeakers along the sides of the room, in line with the viewing ramps, offered a far more immersive listening experience.’
After the main cinema show, guests enter an interactive room, featuring touch walls and projected displays. ‘A major part of Musikkfabrikken is the interactive displays,’ says Hexeberg.
Due to its interactive design, this room posed a much greater challenge. ‘Initially I wanted to place loudspeakers under the screens, but the sound was not direct enough,’ he continues. ‘Instead, we decided to install eight 4420s in the floor and eight 4430s in the ceiling, complemented by four 7360 subwoofers to enhance audio definition. The result is incredible – the ceiling speakers provided the power and clarity directly to visitors, while you could feel the under-floor speakers adding depth to the immersive experience.’
Since Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers feature built-in Dante and AES67 networking, this meant that the system could handle audio, power and control over a single CAT cable. ‘The single-cable set-up made the installation so simple. It simplified routing and minimised the need for additional power outlets, which was essential for placing loudspeakers in the floor and ceiling. The integrators were able to hide the loudspeakers discreetly without interfering with the interactive displays, while maintaining powerful and direct surround sound,’ Hexeberg says.
The results have earned Musikkfabrikken the prestigious THEA Award for Outstanding Attraction in the Limited Budget category. ‘Musikkfabrikken is absolutely incredible,’ says Hunderfossen CEO, Hogne Høstmælingen. ‘The guest feedback has been outstanding, and the sound experience is essential to the success of such an attraction. We invested significantly more in the audio than we typically do for the park’s other attractions – and it has truly paid off.’