AudioCenter array deployed for Sawami Vivekananda’s birthday
Published: ASIA
INDIA: Octave Communications has deployed an AudioCenter V-HLA+ line array system for use at the recent commemoration of Sawami Vivekananda’s 151st birthday. The event was held in the heart of India at the Nagpur City Reshambaugh Ground. Nandan Gajendragadkar, owner and founder of Octave Communications, took responsiblilty for rigging, installing and tuning the system, whilst audio mixing duties were handled by Manish Naidu, who had worked with the performers previously. The hot and humid environment provided the team with a number of challenges to overcome.
Catering to a large audience, the theme and mood of event was designed to acquaint young people with Swamiji's ‘nationalistic but modern ideas of nation building’. The event consisted of traditional drum beating with classical patriotic music, alongside a series of inspirational speeches.
Visiting the venue ahead of the event, Octave realised that the area designated for the audience consisted of an elongated rectangle, with seating for approximately 7,000 people. Because of the elongated shape, Audiocenter’s high SPL, long-reach V-HLA+ system was selected, with two hangs of six V-HLA 15+ cabinets flown 8.5m high either side of the stage, augmented by RCF loaded custom dual subs. Amplification for the entire system was provided by Crown Xti 6002, Xti 4002 and Xti 2002 units, which according to the installers, performed well under the hot and humid weather. V-HLA 15+ custom presets were adapted for dbx's driverack, and the system was tuned using an Easera Systune rig consisting of a Roland Edirol UA-101, Behringer RTA Microphones and an HP Touchsmart tablet.
Monitoring was catered for with JBL PRX 612s used as wedges and JBL MRXs for side fill. For a Drum Parade March, the performance leader and drum major were fitted with AKG IVM 4500 in-ear monitors, which reportedly worked flawlessly, even as the receivers moved far away from the stage.
AKG and Shure wireless mics were used extensively for the event. AKG head worn mics were used for the band leader to provide instructions. Percussion instruments were miked using Shure SM57s and SM58s, while an AKG C411 was used for the violin. The keyboard, Octpad, guitar, and other line instruments were all fed into the console via a Behringer Ultra-Di Di100, which protected against hot signals. Vocals were catered for with wireless SM58s on UHF, and the whole system was tied togther with a Yamaha LS9 32-channel mixing console; chosen over similar desks because of its ‘proven track record as a work horse, and its user friendliness’.
The climate was a big issue for the Octave team, with temperatures in Central India reaching 40- to 45-degrees Celsius throughout the day and into the evenings. The extreme heat meant that sound checks needed to be carried out as quickly as possible, with the team crediting the user friendly interface of the LS9 with helping them get the job completed quickly.
With a larger than anticipated audience turning out for the event everything was a success, and the organisers congratulated the team on a job well done.