AMSTERDAM – The Openluchttheater (Open Air Theater) in Vondelpark has drawn large crowds to free performances since 1974, but as the residential population near the park has grown, so have concerns over amplified sound reinforcement. For Audiopro managing director Rolf Dijkstra, the solution came in the form of a carefully-designed loudspeaker system using gear from d&b audiotechnik.
"To me, the Open Air Theater is an integral part of the park and most certainly part of my own youth. I would really hate to see the free performances stop," said Dijkstra, whose company, Audiopro, which represents d&b audiotechnik in The Netherlands, collaborated with Peak Audio on a solution including a combination of C-Series C7-TOPS with B4 cardioid subwoofers under stage, all driven by d&b D12 amplifiers.
"We set the whole PA up with d&b's ArrayCalc software following a precise EASE model, and the results have more than justified our choice," Dijkstra said. "The B4s are placed as a calculated bass array with distances and delay times defined according to the simulation made in the d&b ArrayCalc software. Both EASE and ArrayCalc were used to come to an optimum result where the total opening angle of the system is small enough to keep the bass only in the park, directed at the listeners and wide enough for every visitor to have good intelligibility combined with a punchy low end."
"We have agreed to sponsor the d&b system for the next two seasons, as we are that confident about the quality and accurate coverage of the loudspeaker system," said Will-Jan Pielage, Peak Audio managing director.
The 2011 season began June 5 with a performance by The New Cool Collective. Despite SPL levels of nearly 100 dB at the FOH mixer position, there were no complaints from neighboring residents.
For more information, please visit www.dbaudio.com.
