KITCHENER, ONTARIO — Waterloo Oktoberfest is North America’s largest Bavarian festival, second in the world only to the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Kitchener’s Sherwood Systems Inc. has been providing sound reinforcement to each of the festival’s 13 venues for nearly two decades.
With the average fest hall featuring traditional polka acts like the Black Forest Band, head-stand beer drinking phenom George Kash, and Grammy award winner Walter Ostanek, Sherwood’s M.I. department has all the tools to get the job done. However, some of the larger venues, not to mention opening ceremonies and the annual parade, see crowds ranging from 3000 to 10 000 beer lovers — this is where Sherwood’s inventory of front of house rigs goes to work.
Throughout the years, the festival has evolved by diversifying the musical acts showcased throughout the week. Notable mentions include David Wilcox, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Blue Rodeo, and Jully Black.
With this many venues running simultaneous events, Sherwood Systems Production Manager Tim Mitchell faced the challenge of coordinating gear, trucks and technicians.
With so many shows taking place on a continuous basis over the week, it is inevitable that Sherwood Systems had to comply with noise violation by-laws. One particular neighborhood is plagued by a 60Hz resonance that is surprisingly loud nearly 300 meters from the venue. The problem was solved by creating a cardioid sub under the stage that was carefully monitored using EAW’s SMAART software.
With the festival over, Sherwood’s technicians are left testing and wiping down beer-soaked cabinets and cables in preparation for the next onslaught of events.
ACTION ITEM:
For information, please visit www.sherwoodsystems.com/.
