Installation Case
- category:
- Event
Loveparade 2007 Essen
— Yamaha Spreads Love in Essen —
Overview
August 25th 2007 saw 1.2 million people turn the city center of Essen in Germany's Ruhr region into a giant party as the Loveparade filled the city's streets with a procession of floats, all with powerful PA systems playing the latest dance music.
In addition to the main parade, the event features a wide variety of associated parties and events, this year including performances by artists such as the Blue Man Group, Moby, WestBam, Kosheen, and Sonos.
The finale was held on a large, open-air stage in the center of the city's main square, from which audio was broadcast 360 degrees. This provided major challenges for audio company Crystal Sound, who needed to provide a powerful but well directed system in the square that would maintain a strict noise limit of 93dB at the nearest properties, and also ensure that there were no unpleasant echoes bouncing off the walls of the building surrounding the square.
- Location:
- Essen, Ruhr area
- Interview date:
- 08/2007
Product List
- Mixers:
- PM5D-RH, DSP5D, 01V96
- Processors:
- DME64N
- Interfaces:
- DD32 (Optocore)
Details
Precise Control for a Challenging Situation
Sound designer Frank Vogelsgesang chose a Yamaha DME64N digital mix engine to serve as the ideal audio routing matrix for the loudspeakers, and PM5D-RH consoles for both front-of-house and monitor mixes. The FOH console was expanded with a DSP5D system for the live acts.
The PA system comprised ninety-six d&b mid-high units and eighty d&b subs. The subs operated in a hypercardioid configuration that transformed the spherical characteristic of the bass into a heart-shaped pattern, resulting in uniform distribution in the audience area with minimum leakage under the stage.
Just 90 Minutes to Get Ready
It seems almost unbelievable that the technical crew was given a mere 90 minutes in which to configure and sound check the system for such a complex event. Fortunately, the programmability, versatility, and reliability of the Yamaha equipment proved ideal for such a challenge. The technical rehearsal deadline was met and the event went ahead with no problems.
Three Optocore DD32 units connected the main system with the press podium and an outside broadcast vehicle. The FOH mix, along with a mix of ambient microphones relaying crowd atmosphere, was then made available by the OB vehicle to all media and broadcasting positions. Many media representatives commented favorably about the service that had been provided, which spared broadcast organizations the task of cable routing.
Yamaha-Supported Emergency Sound Too
Another important part of the event was the inclusion of infrastructure and logistics for a potential evacuation scenario. Four small JBL Vertec line arrays were installed, and in the event of evacuation an announcement would be broadcast via a microphone and pre-produced fire brigade CD using a Yamaha 01V96. A separate unit provided power to the emergency sound system throughout the entire event.
