Aalto eatre Up and Running in Record Time

(09/10/2014) The Aalto Theatre in Essen just upgraded to Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup's latest audio technology. The opera house decided that the Mediagroup's contracting branch replace the entire sound system on behalf of the theatre construction society tbe. Quite a few STAGETEC products, like the AURUS console, several NEXUS Base Devices and the NEXUS STAR router, were installed in the recording studio, on the main stage and in the hall to ensure perfect communication between orchestra, sound engineer and conductor.

Only hours after the last performance before the summer break, the Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH crew started to replace the theatre's sound system in collaboration with the Sound and Video Department of the Aalto Theatre. The team had indeed barely six weeks to replace all existing systems on the main stage, in the hall and in the recording studio with the adjacent orchestral rehearsal room. Design, planning and implementation were a close cooperation of the Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup and the Head of the Sound and Video Department, Axel Vent. Apart from the tight time schedule, the request to adapt the new gear to work with system components from the 1970s was an additional challenge.

One-stop shop: design, planning, engineering and test-running

The success of this project hinged on thorough planning and minute preparations well ahead of our actual presence on site, says Detlef Werner, project manager at Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH. The contractor had been asked to draw up all plans, supply production drawings, bills of materials for the audio processing and transmission devices, and to supply and install audio, video and data gear, complete with rack cabinets and junction boxes. All new system components were engineered, configured and tested in Buttenheim and Essen.

Timely delivery despite a tight schedule

Given the daunting scope of this project and its tight schedule, it was clear that all parties involved had to work together closely to finish in time. The Buttenheim-based contracting division dispatched an average of six workers to the site to take care of setting up the systems. The sound engineers of the Aalto Theatre decided to devote part of their holiday to this project to be able to answer questions, and helped with the renovation of the control room. All in all, the Essen-based company Elektro Decker GmbH installed over 50km of system cables.

After gutting the entire control area, the contractor's crew replaced old frames with new rack cabinets, reinstalled devices which were still usable and added new audio, data and video kits. Among them were three STAGETEC AURUS consoles one each for the recording studio, the FOH system and the audio control room.

Furthermore, STAGETEC NEXUS digital routing system was also put into place, consisting of several custom-configured Base Devices, four of which can also be used for mobile applications, as well as an STAGETEC ON AIR 24 console for complex monitoring mixes throughout the theatre. Even remotecontrolling the new AURUS consoles for rehearsals and preparations is possible via iPads and WiFi-connected devices.

By the time the curtain went up for the first performance of the new season 2/2014, all devices were up and running. The sound and video department is reportedly delighted with the cutting-edge and versatile audio transmission and processing system.

Installed audio and video gear:

3x STAGETEC AURUS mixing consoles

3x STAGETEC NEXUS STAR main router

13x STAGETEC NEXUS Base Devices, four of which are available for mobile use

1x STAGETEC ON AIR 24 compact console

1x analogue video patchbay 2x digital video patchbays

120x junction boxes

About the Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup of companies:Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup, a German group of companies, is one of Europe's leading providers of professional audio technology. Headquartered in Buttenheim (Upper Franconia), the group has about 280 employees in five German facilities as well as nine distribution offices and subsidiaries worldwide. With its R &D, system integration and distribution arm for audio and video technology, its intercom technology and emergency alarm systems, the group covers a vast number of applications and areas. Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup's servicing, product distribution and other service activities are provided by wholly-owned subsidiaries in Berlin, L ffingen, Chemnitz, Rome, Vienna, Brussels, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Sydney, Sao Paulo, Moscow, Hong Kong and Atlanta.

About Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH:

Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH provides turn-key solutions for professional audio, intercom and media technology projects on a global scale. With over 50 years of experience with designing, planning, manufacturing, installing and implementing prestigious projects, the company's talented project engineers are famous for their custom-built solutions as well as their flawless and timely implementation.

A new brand of the Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup, Salzbrenner designs digital communication and audio technology. Products manufactured under the Salzbrenner brand include the Polaris Evolution and Polaris Touch mixing consoles, the Inspiration stage management desk and the Vivace acoustic processing system. All Salzbrenner products are designed and manufactured at the Buttenheim factory in Germany. Salzbrenner products are distributed by Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH.

LINK:	http://www.live-production.tv/news/cultural-events/aalto-theatre-and-r...
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