LIVE SOUND RECORDING INSTALLATION A/V BROADCAST POSTPRODUCTION September–October 2014

INSIDE THE SPORTS HUBExploring the audio systems in Singapore’s new National Stadium

Singapore: MICA (P) 012/05/2014

Celebrating 90 years of Celestion

MEET THE NEW GROUP

Exploring the DiGiCo, Allen & Heath and Calrec tie up

Adamson provides reinforcement for the Korean festival

AIA Real Life: NOW

THE HISTORY BOYS

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STADIA BEAR MORE THAN A resemblance to the countries o their birth as e em li e b

in a ore he ion tate as onl ei ht ears ol hen its ational

ta ium as inau urate b the i er allan in an at

the time it more than satis e the nee s o the oun countr

ational a celebrations centre u on this lan mar or the ne t three eca es hilst international artists such as ichael ac son an ariah are oul sell out the ca acit enue inbetween sporting events. But just as the cit o ingapore aroun it

ramaticall rose over this perio

with increasingl mo ern an slee gran esigns the out oor sta ium began to crumble in the e uatorial heat an heav rain. he government there ore eci e to act an commissione the creation o a bigger multi unctional an green sta ium in which the au io

esign woul pla a starring role.even long ears passe ollowing

the curtain call on the ol ational ta ium an the inauguration

of Singapore Sports Hub. The large rewor s ispla that lit up the night s above the Sta ium following the extinguishing of the ame in the caul ron on une

prove to be a false awn

however. emolition wor ha been sche ule to commence a ear later, but owing to the subsequent global nancial crisis in a ition to rising construction costs, the project was pushe bac three ears. groun brea ing ceremon mar ing the arrival of bull o ers on September mar e the of cial en of the ran l ame with the la ing of new foun ations six months later. t that point, the vision to create a , seat sta ium complete with a movable, ultra thin

ome roof structure an innovative moving tier esign that woul accommo ate various sporting an cultural events appeare a istant

ream.

PlayersThe Singapore Sports Hub is a

ear ublic rivate artnership agreement between Sport

Singapore an Sports Hub te t , ma ing it one of the largest sporting

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Richard Lawn

Touring the Sports Hub

100 PRO AUDIO ASIA September ctober

Sports Hub Stadium

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The 55,000 capacity Singapore Sports Hub has a 19,500 sq-m retractable roof

The stadium’s retractable roof shows off the system

E&E’s Gary Goh in the stadium

EQUIPPING SPORTS HUB

infrastructure PPP projects in the world today. It made its ambitions clear by contracting both Arup and DP Architects to design and engineer a sustainable stadium within the 35 hectare space that would also incorporate entertainment and lifestyle hubs.

Arup’s appointment was made easier following its credentials earned whilst creating the Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), Allianz Arena in Munich and City of Manchester Stadium. As the longest established systems integrator in town, Electronics & Engineering Pte

role in incorporating cutting edge A/V solutions within Singapore’s most noted landmarks. In recent years, its hall of fame has expanded with the Marina Bay Sands Resort, Star Performance Arts Centre and Gardens by the Bay.

Just as Singapore has matured and prospered, E&E has also grown from humble family roots. For managing director Ronald Goh, returning to the scene of his greatest ever triumph is another pinnacle moment in a

decades.‘One of the most satisfying projects

that I had ever accomplished in my career was designing and providing the sound system for a one night only performance in September

1984 of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the National Stadium,’ he recalls. ‘We were commissioned by CitiBank to provide the sound system for this once in a lifetime performance. However, the purist and critics said that the National Stadium was a poor choice of venue

for such a performance because of its size and echo problems. That put additional pressure on me and I had to put in extra effort to make extra sure that I got everything right.’ Inevitably, Mr Goh more than succeeded with his choice of Altec Lansing sound system. ‘The next day, I received the ultimate compliment anybody can give to a sound reinforcement system from Ms Violet Oon who was a reviewer for the Sunday Monitor, who wrote: “It was a combination of informality, of drama, of pizzazz and of

professionalism. I am no technician, but the music must have been

we did not notice it – an indication of the perfect marriage of art and

Sports Hub FactsThe 55,000 capacity National Stadium has a 19,500 sq-m retractable roof, which can open or close in just 20 minutes to reveal

in a multi-layer ETFE pillow, the moving roof incorporates a matrix of LED lights, making it one of the largest addressable LED screens in the world. When fully-retracted, 95 per cent of the seats are under cover, although comfort cooling has also been applied for spectators.

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September–October 2014 PRO AUDIO ASIA 101

1/2 Horizontal

Output, ACE and RAB2 Interface Modules – 1Daktronics 3.17m x 5.07m LED screens for MPIA Hall 1 - 2Daktronics 3.17m x 5.07m LED screens for MPIA Hall 2 - 2

OCBC Aquatic Centre

EAW MK5399 – 34EAW LS432i line source speakers – 22Powersoft Duecanali D3904

SymNet Edge frames -16Daktronics 4.76m x 7.61m LED screen

Watersports Centre

Powersoft D 3904 DSP+AESOP Duecanali 1000W @ 8-ohms - 3Symetrix SymNet Edge Frame Dante - 4EAW QX5641-WP - 3

Control room mixers, microphones and source players

Mackie 1642 VLZ3 16-channel mixers

The old National Stadium was inaugurated in 1973 and served for 34 years

A total of 127 Community DS8 speakers supply sound reinforcement to halls 4, 5 and 6 in the MPIA

The EAW MK2396i speaker system in Hall 1 of the MPIA is powered by 46 Powersoft Duecanali 3904 amplifiers

This brand new loudspeaker represents

the very best of current technology

available on the market. Dealing with

high-level performances, the ultra-

powerful WIND Series has no diffi culty

in unleashing satisfaction for an extreme

directional loudspeaker.

WIND Series delivers 2500 W of pure power, keeping the highest defi nition ever for details: In the one hand

WIND2012 features a 12” woofer and a

very powerful horn (80°x60°).

In the other hand WIND2200 is a perfect

combination between two 10” woofers

and a central wide horn (60°x40°).

Perfect match with MOL1818A and EARTH218 subwoofers.

WIND SERIESA RUSH OF PUREPOWER ANDHIGH DEFINITION.

PROFESSIONAL SOUND SYSTEMS SINCE 1962MONTARBO.COM | #MONTARBO

Although each seat is cooled with 12 litres of air per second, its zero carbon impact green credentials have been earned by offsetting the energy created by the solar panels installed on the rooftops. Measuring 310m, it also features the largest free spanning structure in the world. The simple geometric composition of the thin, retractable dome was designed to use only a fraction of the energy required for an equivalent fully enclosed stadium.

In addition to the main stadium, the S$1.33 billion (US$1.06 billion) Sports Hub also incorporates other arenas and centres within the 35 hectare site, including a 6,000-capacity Aquatics Centre complete with leisure facilities and a 3,000-capacity modular Sports Arena. The OCBC-sponsored Aquatic Centre offers a wide range of aquatic facilities, whilst the OCBC Arena is multipurpose in nature and comprises two blocks of multi-purpose halls, accommodating a full

range of activities from elite athlete training to public recreational use. In addition, a Water Sports Centre was built to enhance sports offerings in the Kallang Basin and a further 41,000 sq-m of commercial space was made available for leisure, shopping and dining. A Sports Information and Resource Centre (SIRC), comprising a library, a sports museum and an exhibition centre together with a Community Area including a playground, hard courts, skate park, lawn ball, giant chess set, rock climbing and beach volleyball completes the picture.

Even dispersionE&E was tasked to provide intelligibility, high output and broadband pattern control throughout the 55,000 seats. This was ultimately achieved by adopting an EAW QX three-way loudspeaker solution. Following extensive modelling and simulations in EASE 4.2, a combination of 35 QX544-WP (45-degrees h x 45-degrees v), QX594-WP (90-degrees h x 45-degrees v), QX596-WP (60-degrees h x 45-degrees v), QX5641-WP (60-degrees h x

45-degrees v) and QX566-WP (60-degrees h x 60-degrees v) cabinets were deployed at critical points within the stadium.

Whilst each QX model varies in its dispersion characteristics, they commonly combine four 12-inch LF woofers with 2-inch exit MF and HF horn-loaded, coaxial compression drivers within their trapezoidal cabinets. The four phase-aligned 12-inch LF woofers are arranged as vertical and horizontal pairs, which results in extended pattern control in the lower frequency range. The four LF woofers surround the coaxial mid/high compression driver symmetrically in both the horizontal and vertical planes and so the response across the spectrum appears to originate from a single point. In addition, six customised EAW speakers have been installed into the highest sections of the roof, for which each system combines eight 12-inch LF and two MF and HF horn loaded coaxial compression

drivers.The common solution adopted

in most modern auditoria is to suspend line array systems at various points from the lip of the canopy. The EAW point source system designed and installed by E&E has therefore successfully contributed to enhanced spectator aesthetics. The low frequencies have been further enhanced with the addition of 12 clusters each combining four EAW SB528zP-WP subwoofers suspended in a downward ring cardioid array. A separate EVAC system comprising of 76 Community RSH 462 horn-loaded, coaxial, weather-resistant speakers has been installed within the bowl.

Dante NetworkDuring the initial design stages in 2011, Dante networking was a relatively new and untested phenomena, but E&E insisted on adopting it into the core of this extensive network, given its bene ts over relatively long distances and multiple locations. Prior to Cat-5 cabling, analogue audio distribution suffered from signal degradation due to electromagnetic interference, high-frequency attenuation, and voltage

drop over long cable runs. With the acceptance of digital multiplexing, in which multiple streams of audio plus integrated control data are distributed with sub-millisecond latency, audio cabling requirements have been greatly reduced. Dante provides speci c advantages over the rst-generation audio over Ethernet

technologies, such as CobraNet and EtherSound, by being able to pass through network routers, offering a higher channel count, providing lower latency and automatic con guration.

Digital audio throughout Sports Hub has been enabled by networking over 80 SymNet Edge frames from US manufacturer Symetrix, located in various ampli er and control room racks and facility panels throughout the venue. Having inserted analogue-in, analogue-out and digital-out input cards into the four con gurable I/O

slots of these SymNet Edge frames, the digital network is con gured and managed over the IT infrastructure, transmitting and receiving up to 128 (64x64) channels. The facility managers further bene t from the SymVue GUIs downloaded onto PCs and laptops providing instant access remote control.

An Allen & Heath iLive-112 console connected to an iDR-32 Mix Rack has been Dante enabled courtesy of the inserted M-Dante audio interface module. It has been further equipped with a Mic and Digital Input and Output module in addition to

an Analogue Control over Ethernet (ACE), RAB2 Remote Audio and Dante Audio Interface module. The M-Dante integrates with the SymNet Edge frames, whilst offering digital microphone splitting, multi-track recording and system expansion with 64-channels of bi-directional audio.

The EAW QX series main stadium speaker system and subwoofers is powered by 26 K2 and 70 K10 2-channel ampli ers produced by Powersoft. Both models measure just 1U in the racks and hence save space, yet deliver 1,000W and 2,000W of power respectively over 8-ohms. Fully digitally controlled via the network, the K2 and K10 ampli ers come with a KDSP board and KAESOP Ethernet/AES3 interface, which connects to the Italian manufacturer’s Armonía Pro Audio Suite software. Redundant SymNet Edge processors provide AES outputs as main and analogue outputs as a back-up into the Powersoft K Series ampli ers, whilst EAW Greybox DSP settings have been loaded into the Powersoft K Series DSP ampli ers. In late 2013, the Ottocanali series became Powersoft’s rst ampli er series to integrate Dante networking, but this breakthrough came too late in the installation to make changes to the speci cation in Sports Hub.

Wired (and wireless) for sound

An extensive Shure UHF-R wireless system providing audio reference companding serves the multiple announcement needs for Sports Hub. A total of four dual channel UR4D+ receivers together with UR2 handheld transmitters with Beta 58 mic heads and UR1 bodypack transmitters with MX150 lavaliers more than serve the venue’s needs. Networked automatic frequency selection and automatic transmitter setup provide control, whilst the RF distribution ports allow up to 10 receivers to share a single pair of antennas. Each channel can offer 2,400 selectable frequencies across a 60MHz bandwidth and up to 40 compatible channels per band. Other features include MARCAD Diversity and track tuning. The Ethernet network compatibility

ensures that the personnel can access the Wireless Workbench 6 Control/Monitoring software for their individual and networked receivers.

Owing to the great distances across the stadium, a number of UA845-SWB ve-way antenna distributors were

added, for which each splitter can allow up to ve receivers to use the same antennas. Each UA845-SWB expands the wireless microphone system by splitting one pair of antennas to multiple UR4 wireless receivers, whilst amplifying RF signals to compensate for insertion loss due to splitting signal power to multiple output connectors. Located under the roof of the NST Bowl, four UA874 UHF antennas linked to a UA221 antenna splitter/combiner have improved the overall wireless reception throughout Sports Hub. By producing a cardioid pattern towards the coverage area, the antennas reject more RF signals outside the area than standard half wave omnidirectional antennas.

The control rooms are equipped with Micro ex MX405 5-inch gooseneck microphones mounted onto MX400DP desktop pre amps. The main source for playback material is a TASCAM CD-500B CD/cassette player, whilst SS-R200 solid state recorders can convert WAV and MP3 les to compact ash, SD/SHC and USB memory cards. Monitoring can either be performed via Shure SRH940 headphones connected to PreSonus HP4 headphone pre-amps or via ADAM A5X speakers.

Four VP89 shotgun condenser microphones encased in Rycote windshields have also been supplied for broadcasting and media applications. The Shure VP89 is a professional shotgun condenser microphone for use in critical

FEATURES: INSTALLATION

102 PRO AUDIO ASIA September–October 2014

Shure UR4D+ receivers, UR2

Beta58 mics, UR1 body packs + MX150B lavaliers, UA845-SWB antennas, VP89M condenser shotguns, MX400DP desktop pre-amps, MX405 gooseneck microphones and SRH940 headphonesTASCAM CD-500B CD/Cassette PlayersTASCAM SS-R200 solid state recorder ADAM AX5 and AX8 monitorsDaktronics 2.85m x 5.07m (portable) LED screen

The EAW speakers were custom painted to blend in with the roof

EQUIPPING SPORTS HUB

Shure UA845-SWB antennas in the roof of Sports Hub enhance wireless mic transmissions

An Allen & Heath iLive 112 console in the main Sports Hub control room has been Dante enabled

Sports Hub is equipped with eight channels of Shure UR4D+ wireless

SymNet Edge processors supply the DSP to the six halls of the MPIA

broadcast and media production applications. Designed with interchangeable long, medium and short capsules, the VP89 provides scalable o a is re ection or ocus and e ibilit in a wide variet o on site locations and is highl suitable for a venue such as this.

Multi-Purpose Indoor Arenahe , capacit P ad acent to the main

stadium was designed to incorporate a large degree of scalabilit and e ibilit in its la out. he event sound s stem and announcements

are catered for b a distributed audio s stem comprising of 9 i inch and eight 99i spea ers for alls and on level one. inished in white, ommunit D 8 surface mount dual 8 inch spea ers have been integrated into the designs of the smaller alls

, and of the basement. ort si Powersoft Duecanali D 9 ampli ers suppl the power throughout the halls of the two levels. ac mounted in two V rooms with m et Edge frames, full digital control and Dante networ ing of the D 9 ampli ers has been enabled courtes of the integrated E P

Ethernet E interface. he control room within is equipped with the same selection of mi ing, pla bac , recording and microphone equipment as the two in the main stadium.

Aquatic CentreE&E was also commissioned to provide a sound s stem into the highl reverberant water sports arena, catering for audiences of up to

, spectators during speci c events. hirt 99 inch two wa spea er to provide

the coverage in this venue. The horns, which have been rotated to provide 90-degrees x 90-degrees dispersion, are as large as the enclosure si e to maintain consistent directivit throughout the pass-band. n addition,

E i line source spea ers each combining four -inch woofers and three -inch tweeters provide a nominal vertical coverage pattern of 0-degrees to below ,000 and

0-degrees in the hori ontal plain. nce

again, Duecanali D 90 ampli ers provide the power whilst m et Edge frames were entrusted with D P capabilities. ive and public announcements together with pla bac is served b the same inventor as the main stadium.

Watersports Centreust three E - P spea er s stems

powered b three Duecanali D 90 ampli ers suf ce for this space, with four m et Edge frames providing full D P. ive and public announcements together with pla bac are served b the same inventor as the main stadium although a ac ie n x .

-channel console was deemed suf cient for its mixing needs.

Versatilitywing to the multi-purpose nature of the

stadium, exibilit appeared to be the e component of its design. s such, it integrated features such as moving tiers and palletised turf modules in addition to the retractable roof that will now promote the stadium to offer a wide calendar of sporting events such as football, athletics and cric et in addition to other events such as concerts and the ational Da Parade. owever, these features had to be added without compromising on the proximit and qualit of the view for spectators. To date, no other stadium in the world can combine football, athletics and cric et in the same arena.

hen the singer it han performed ive ur Dreams as a tribute to the old stadium

during its 00 closing ceremon , the ghostl echoes must have lingered suf cientl long enough for the government to have heard it during the design stages of ports ub.

aving insisted on cutting edge technolog and design air, ingapore is now blessed with a

ational tadium that is a world awa from its predecessor et exists in the real world. The nel tuned audio networ is an intrinsic part

of this, going wa be ond the normal scope of pla ing or announcing a lost child.

www.sportshub.com.sg

www.enepl.com.sg

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eptember ctober 0 PRO AUDIO ASIA 103

1/2 vertical

The Aquatic Centre presented a highly reverberant space

Many of the MPIA halls are equipped with EAW MK2396 and 2399 speakers

A Shure VP89M shotgun microphone provides an ambient feed to the iLive 112 console