Tag: Theater Audio

Technomad Introduces OSLO High-Power, All-Environment Subwoofer

Technomad LLC, a leader in advanced loudspeakers and audio systems since 1995, will introduce a new compact, high-power, all-environment 18-inch subwoofer at the 2010 InfoComm Show (June 9-11, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth C6612.)

» Visit the OSLO Product Page

The Technomad Oslo was developed specifically for the demanding requirements of themed entertainment applications both indoors and outdoors. It is one of the most powerful subwoofers available due to its very low frequency response (below 40Hz) and high power rating (1200 W continuous). These specifications combined A high max-SPL rating of 133 dB confirm that the OSLO is a formidable low-bass system.

The Technomad Oslo Subwoofer — The high-power, all-environment Oslo features a single 18-inch low-frequency driver, making it the only completely weatherproof subwoofer currently available in the 18-inch format.

The Oslo also offers excellent performance in the mid-size subwoofer class due to its single 18-inch low-frequency driver, making it the only completely weatherproof subwoofer currently available in the 18-inch format. Technomad will also offer the Oslo in a powered configuration featuring a 1600 W weatherproof amplifier module based on the company’s PowerChiton amplifier technology.

“Technomad is extending its product range for the sound system installation market with a subwoofer that delivers accurate, extended bass and offers outstanding efficiency in a ported design,” said Rodger von Kries, vice president of Technomad. “The Oslo accomplishes this without the excessive port resonance and ‘one-note bass’ sounds that plague many subwoofers. Its compact size and portable form factor also make it ideal for applications requiring maximum bass at minimal volumes.”

Though primarily designed for fixed and permanent applications like theme parks and sports venues, the Oslo is also ideal for temporary applications including live sound, corporate audio and theatrical performances. The design also gives sound engineers and integrators the flexibility to specify and install the Oslo within underground installations and for framing into sets and themed backgrounds.

Like all Technomad loudspeakers and subwoofers, the Oslo offers both outstanding audio quality and 100 percent weatherproof construction thanks in part to IP56-rated protection, proprietary driver treatments and self-draining cabinets. The Oslo is also available in 14 custom molded-in colors that do not crack or fade in sunlight.

Technomad Articles : Technomad at Pyynikki Open Air Theatre, Finland

Tampere, Finland – The Pyynikki Open Air Theatre, located on a beautiful wooded cape near central Tampere, with its world-famous revolving auditorium, is one of the oldest, and the most popular, open-air theatres in Finland. Scandinavian weather wreaks havoc on the sensitive technical equipment required for such a venue. Traditional “All-Weather” loudspeakers, that were designed for sunny California, usually become quite troublesome when installed outdoors for any amount of time through the hot, but sometimes very wet and cold, Finnish summer season.

Some 70,000 people saw and heard the “Unknown Soldier.” A historic production based on the Finnish-Russian war in the Joselininniemi, 1941-1944. The “Unknown Soldier” is almost a national epos for the Finns. Everyone in the auditorium knows the story, which was written in 1954. The show was the largest production ever performed at the Pyynikki Theatre. Of the total production budget of 13 million Finnish Marks – approximately $2.5 million US – 130,000.00 Finnish Marks was used to update the sound reinforcement system.

The sound system designer of the show, Simo Savisaari, has experienced years of problems with soaking wet plywood loudspeaker cabinets, left ravaged from the weather. The previous loudspeakers were installed in the trees surrounding the theatre, from early May, when the weather is still usually quite chilly, until early September. At the end of those five months, most loudspeaker cabinets are completely ruined, even though extreme measures are taken to protect them, such as covers, tarps, etc.

“We used to call them disposable loudspeakers,” states Simo. “Most of the loudspeakers are hung in very awkward positions around the cape, so it is impossible for us to take them down every night. This installation is tough on traditional loudspeakers. Plus, it is a bit difficult to get the financial chief to buy new loudspeakers every year!”

SPEAKERS OF THE STORM

When Simo started to prepare for the spectacle; he decided to renew the whole speaker system with the highly weather resistant loudspeaker system. Based upon product reputation, Simo contacted Technomad LLP Technomad’s Finnish distributor, Musiikki Mode, provided the loudspeakers, and the sound crew of the Pyynikki Theatre gathered for the listening-test. The Technomad loudspeakers, designed to meet US Military Specifications, are extremely weather resistant, the sound was very intricate and detailed, and the unbelievable warranty from the manufacturer assured the Pyynikki team Technomad loudspeakers were going to the backbone of the new sound system.

Simo is very pleased with his choice of loudspeakers. The Technomads have lived through the Finnish summer with no problems at all. Customized cast frame bass and coaxial drivers start out with paper cones, but after Technomad’s proprietary three-step chemical process is applied, the driver material more resembles plastic then paper. Technomad’s unique chemical treatment assures the cones will not absorb, or be effected by, water or moisture. The driver material will maintain the proper balance and mass to provide accurate audio in all environments. Technomad’s chemical process also extends the lifespan of the driver itself in extremely hot and dry conditions by preventing the cone material from drying out, weakening and cracking in short periods of time. Water, should it get on the drivers, simply sheds away, like water beading and running off a freshly waxed car.

A Technomad loudspeaker is built into a 3/4 inch thick, one-piece rotomolded shell, they are watertight when their protective lids are attached, and they are also highly resistant to the dust and sand that is kicked-up by the production’s extensive use of pyrotechnic effects. The three-layer, acoustically-transparent WeatherTech™ grill system, with its tight perforation pattern and inner layers of mesh and foam, breaks down and sheds away the most tenacious wind driven rain or water. These incredibly fine mesh and foam inner layers also prevent insects, rain, sand and even the finest dust from entering the cabinet. The precision-density, internal polyurethane foam also acts as a massive filter that collects extremely fine dust that might get past the three-layer grill system. Therefore, highly destructive dust is prevented from adversely affecting the voice coils and diaphragms.

Technomad loudspeakers meet US Mil-Spec 810E, and the cabinets are ATA III rated. Therefore, users of Technomad loudspeakers include the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The Finnish Army recently enlisted on Technomad’s reference list, as well.

Simo notes, “Technomad’s product warranty is unbelievable. A Technomad cabinet is unconditionally warranted for ten years and the drivers and electronics are warranted against manufacturer’s defects in workmanship for two years! Technomads could probably can even withstand normal air-cargo transportation with no packaging! And that is a lot to withstand!”

SURROUNDED IN THE WOODS

The sound system of the Pyynikki Theatre is very straightforward. There are eight Technomad Cairo 15/C three-way, bi-amped loudspeakers and four Studiotec subwoofers surrounding the auditorium. As the auditorium revolves 360 degrees, the loudspeakers are used as main stereo pairs or as surround channels, depending on the current position of the rotating stage. Timo Alhanen cues the music and effects, composed by Anssi Tikanmäki. “It feels like the whole auditorium and the woods are full of sound. The audience of approximately 1,000 is right in the middle of the battle scene of the performance, with the machine-gun company all around them,” notes Timo.

Simo notes, “It’s wonderful to have some real sound pressure level from the new Technomad speaker system. Earlier we had to run the system at its limits, but with the very efficient Technomads, we have a lot of headroom!”

The increased fidelity is already making the sound design for next season more ambitious. “We’re going to go beyond the traditional dog-bark and car-horn stuff,” quips Simo. “The audience has become savvier and they are demanding much more from the overall performance. Prior to the Technomad system, the main point was to work with what we had and make sure the people just heard SOMETHING.”

Simo concludes, “I honestly can’t think of a better loudspeaker for outdoor use. The Technomads sound excellent and can withstand any weather. Take it from me; we sure do have ‘any weather’ over here.”

Equipment:
Console:
Sound craft Spirit Studio 16-8-2 Processing:

Processing:
Alesis Quadraverb
Yamaha SPX900
TC Electronic 2240 parametric EQ
2 x KlarkTeknik DN3600 EQ
2 x Alesis M-EQ 230
Behringer Ultracurve
2 x BSS Dual Time Corrector
Audiotec crossover

Mics:
2 x Sennheiser MKH816 P48 shotgun
2 x Sennheiser MKH416 P48 shotgun

Sources:
5 x Sony MDS500 MiniDisc
3 x Sony MZ-1 portable MiniDisc

Amps:
10 x Crest Audio VS900
1 x Peavey PV1.3K
2 x Inkel 2 50W

Delay PA in auditorium seating area:
12 x JBL Control 1 AW

Main PA:
8 x Technomad Cairo 15/C three-way, bi-amped loudspeakers
4 x Studiotec 2 x 15″ subwoofer

The Ultimate Outdoor Theatre Experience: Technomad @ Shakespeare in Central Park

The Shakespeare in Central Park festival is synonymous with summertime in New York City. Since its inaugural season in 1957, the prestigious event has attracted millions interested in enjoying world-class theatre in one of the most charming venues anywhere; the park’s open-air Delacorte Theatre.

When The New York Public Theatre needed outdoor loudspeakers for the 2000 Shakespeare in Central Park festival it went to One Dream Sound. David Ferdinand, proprietor of Manhattan’s highly regarded rental house, did not hesitate to make a recommendation: Technomad. Since 1995, Technomad has manufactured loudspeakers offering a unique combination of excellent fidelity, high output, high efficiency and unparalleled reliability in the harshest environments. All Technomad loudspeakers meet United States military specification and are used in armed forces applications worldwide.

“The theatre was looking for a loudspeaker that could withstand summer sun, heat, wind and rain, but simultaneously provide high quality sound for one of the most prestigious theatre venues in the world,” Ferdinand said. “Technomad is the only company that came to mind.”

Ferdinand was familiar with Technomads having used them for an application at another prestigious New York venue: The Big Apple Circus. “The technicians over at the Big Apple Circus absolutely love them,” he said.

Technomad President Karl von Kries sees his company’s involvement with One Dream Sound as the manifestation of Technomad’s goal as a loudspeaker manufacturer. “One Dream Sound is well known for providing sound for some of the most distinguished productions in New York,” said von Kries. “We are extremely happy that they recognize that the world’s most durable loudspeakers are also some of the best sounding.”

Ken Travis, the lead sound technician at Shakespeare in the Park, was also very impressed with Technomad loudspeakers. “It was a bad summer for rain,” explained Travis. “It really poured at times, but we had absolutely no problems with the Technomads.” Travis used Technomad’s flagship Berlin 15/H, a high-output, full-range, two-way loudspeaker, for music and sound effects at the front and rear of house. “I had two-a-side in the front and six in the back,” explained Travis. “I was blown away by the sound quality. There was an extremely high SPL coming from the Berlin’s, particularly in the front. “It used to be that weatherproof meant durable but poor sounding,” Travis added. “But Technomads are incredibly smooth sounding. They are a very, very fine loudspeaker.”

The Technomad Paris 616, with its twin 6.5″ mid/bass drivers, was set-up in a vocal delay ring that Travis said provided exceptional coverage and sound quality. “The bass response from the Paris was very impressive and its sleek design prevented us from having to hide them,” Travis said.

Ferdinand, whose One Dream Sound is now one of the top five rental and design houses in New York, was as impressed with the customer service at Technomad as he was with the loudspeakers. “They worked their butts off for us,” he said bluntly. “We are just breaking into the outdoor market and will not use anything else.”Technomad users include all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, Universal Studios, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, The White House, Cunard Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Rodger Williams University, ESPN Zone, Tony Gwynn Stadium, Cinergy Field and many others. Massachusetts-based Technomad employs 25.

New York-based One Dream Sound specializes in sound system design, rental, sales and installation. Since 1990, One Dream Sound has provided audio for over 50,000 performances including the International Emmy Awards, Big Apple Circus, Carly Simon, The Rosie O’Donell Show, New York Shakespeare Festival and the Williamstown Theatre Festival.