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The upgrading and facility enhancement of theater and performing arts spaces continue on an upward spiral, whether in converted environments, new construction and refurbishment of existing venues. With that in mind, we present these recent installation projects. Each takes a different approach, proving there are numerous solutions to any audio challenge - large or small - for any performing space, either new or historic.
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Dpera House, 5ydney, Australia
With just over 1,500 seats, the Joan Sutherland Theatre (JST) is the second largest venue in the Sydney Opera House complex. Home to year-round performances from the resident companies Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet, the theater also stages musicals, talks, comedy and contemporary music.
The JST venue recently completed the first phase of a $71 million renewal project (during a May through December 2017 closure), with additional tweaks wrapping up in mid-2018.
Projects included upgraded lighting, a new flying system and grid deck, improved orchestra pit, a state-of-the-art acoustic enhancement system for orchestral players and a new audio console in time for the JST's New Year's Eve reopening gala.
Suppliers Professional Audio & Television delivered, configured and commissioned a Lawo Nova73 router/DSP core and a Lawo Crystal console including compact engine for the Joan Sutherland Theatre via lead integrator The Downer Group.
The Lawo Nova73 Core was configured as an mc2 Mix Engine. Used as the Central Audio Router for the theater, the Nova73 combines MADI, Ravenna and Dante signals, along with traditional analog and AES by way of a Lawo Dallis I/O Frame. Lawo's mxGUI is used as the primary control interface for the router, letting users load snapshots for different room configurations while also offering user manual adjustments of signal flows and parameters. The system is completed with a VistoolMK2-equipped Lawo Crystal console, to provide a simplified tactile (or customizable on-screen) mixing surface. This allows for basic use of the JST for situations such as rehearsals or simple presentations.
"The Lawo Nova core has been solid since its install in January and has already seen significant use," said the opera house's renewal technology manager, David Dalton. "We are very satisfied with the Lawo technology."
JOAN SUTHERLAND THEATRE
Capacity: 1,507
Key Components: Lawo Crystal console, Nova73 mix engine
Integrator: The Downer...