Project
Amptec and ITA: Striving for a Sublime Soundscape
Internationaal Theater Amsterdam
19-09-2023 / Live /Amptec and Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) work closely together to improve and innovate sound systems within the theatre. ITA is a leading institution in the Dutch performing arts and is known for its own international ensemble, programming of renowned performances and various major festivals. To accommodate these companies, the theatre needs an AV installation that meets its high technical requirements. The cooperation with Amptec focuses on both developing sustainable sound solutions and exploring new audiovisual technologies.
Rabo Hall
ITA wanted to take the sound experience in the Rabo Hall to the next level while modernising the infrastructure. The theatre was looking for a flexible and powerful sound system that could be easily adapted to different productions. In doing so, the new system had to allow for quick set-up and take-down of productions, thus reducing the working hours of the technical teams and making productions more efficient.
A new flown A-series d&b system with flown sub array provided excellent coverage over the entire venue. Additionally, we installed a wide selection of connection panels with Amptec colour coding, an R90 system controller and a DAD matrix unit.
The entire infrastructure is set up in a star shape, meaning that all connections run through 4 central racks under the stage, where the amplifiers and system equipment are also located. This way, all signals can be easily passed from one position to another. Connections include speakers, audio, Madi, SDI and optical. For video distribution, in addition to several 3G SDI lines, converters from SDI to optical are used to distribute up to 12G of video over the point-to-point fibre network. An extensive CAT network has also been installed. This can be used via Amptec-configured switches or the lines can be patched as direct point-to-point connections. In this way, non-Ethernet protocols can also be sent over the cabling.
Soundscape
Additionally, the theatre had a desire for a system that was expandable to Soundscape in the future. To enable the expansion, a DS100 was added to the original installation. The system was subsequently further expanded into a 360° Soundscape installation with 24 additional d&b E3 speakers. This enables directors, composers and technicians to explore new artistic possibilities and make the most of their creativity with this state-of-the-art system.
Main Hall
The theatre also invested in the d&b sound system and infrastructure of the main hall. Before, they spent a lot of time laying and clearing cabling, and it looked sloppy, making complicated productions difficult.
“Because everything now comes together in the central patch in the lower stage, you only have to be in one place to connect everything and it's easy to keep an overview. Direct lines have also been laid to have some shorter connections. Furthermore, the control networks come back in the network patch and it can all be controlled via a computer in the network or VNC,”
The revised infrastructure greatly enhances workflow and ensures that ITA is armed for future productions. 'There are now patch points provided everywhere, which makes it much easier for us. The dressing rooms, side stage and balconies will soon follow. We are also looking at the possibility of a fixed surround system,' Kouwets continues.
Internationaal Theater Amsterdam
Leidseplein 26
1017PT Amsterdam
Netherlands
https://ita.nl