AKG Acoustics WMS 40 - Manual (Page 76)

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As regards planning, technology, and monito-
ring, wireless installations in opera houses pose
a particular challenge. Unfailingly high sound
quality and "invisible" installation of the com-
ponents are basic requirements for offering the
audience a unique auditory experience.
Structural issues pose much greater difficul-
ties: as a rule, opera houses are historic buil-
dings subject to strict conditions with regard to
constructional alterations. And the numerous
backstage rooms, such as dressing rooms,
maintenance passages etc. are an environment
that is rather hositle to RF propagation. Above
all, however, there is one feature typical of
many opera houses: the so-called “iron cur-
tain” that separates the stage and auditorium.
A massive metal wall, it completely blocks
radio signals when lowered.
In our case, we needed a 46-channel system
centrally controlled from the control room. The
stage was approx. 70 m (230 ft) away from the
control room and had to be covered with the
minimum possible number of antennas.
Besides, the transmitters in the dressing room
had to be operational, so that the correct func-
tioning and level settings could be tested prior
to showtime.
The system uses two passive directional anten-
nas placed close to the control room to cover
the stage. Antenna combiners connect two
omnidirectional booster antennas in the dres-
sing room, which receive the radio signals from
behind the stage. This ensures perfect trans-
mission and monitoring of all transmitters even
during intermissions, when the iron curtain is
lowered.
E
XAMPLE
: 46-C
HANNEL
S
YSTEM FOR AN
O
PERA
H
OUSE
WMS 4000 46-CHANNEL SETUP
High-tech for pure enjoyment
Every opera or theater audience has a right to enjoy excep-
tional artistic performances and excellent sound. Therefore,
microphones and wireless components must not only work
perfectly but be more or less invisible in order not to disrupt
the visual appeal of the stage set and performers. The com-
pact WMS 4000 and AKG MicroMics provide the ideal com-
bination for this type of application.
46 x SR 4000 True diversity receiver
Specification:
Amount Item Description
25 x CU 4000 Charging unit
46 x HT/PT 4000 Handheld or portable transmitter
12 x PS 4000 Antenna splitter
18 x PSU 4000 Central power supply unit
2 x RA 4000 B Booster antenna
2 x SRA 2B Active wideband directional antenna
8 x ZAPD 21 Antenna combiner
AKG WMS PRACTICAL EXAMPLES