Amptec knew that RTBF would be releasing a specification for a PA system for the Eurovision for Kids 2005 competition and would be inviting interested companies to tender. "We invited a number of key RTBF technicians to one of d&b's user seminars run by John Taylor and there is no doubt that they learned a lot about their approach to quality sound," said Liebens.
Shortly afterwards, RTBF invited a number of companies to propose a suitable sound system for the Eurosong competition. From these, a short list was compiled and those on it invited for an AB test. Competitors were then given one hour to introduce the technicalmerits of their proposed sound system. Following Amptec's presentation, RTBF's technical audio manager André Curnell examined the Q1's line shaping horn very thoroughly and with considerable interest. "At that time we also learned that the specification called for a line array system, a monitor system and a compact all round loudspeaker," continued Liebens.
For the actual AB test, Amptec and d&b were up against some stiff competition from five other manufacturers. "Each competitor was required to rig their system in a TV studio in the same way to ensure a fair comparison could be made," said Liebens. "RTBF specified the precise area to be covered and every competitor was given the same amount of time to rig and produce sound," he continued. Amptec used a rig consisting of Q1s, Q-SUBs, Q7s, MAX and MAX12s as well as E3s.
Once the rigs were operational, the providers had to leave the studio and their systems to the mercy of RTBF who spent the next two days putting them through their paces. None of the providers were allowed to attend the tests. The station invited a wide range of sound experts to listen and comment on the systems. "At one point, I think there was around forty sound engineers and technicians listening," said Liebens.
In the event, the d&b system was chosen. "There's no doubt that sound quality played a major part in the decision. On top of that, the system's flexibility, the fact that one type of amplifier drives all the loudspeakers and that the line array could be split and used in two different locations all contributed to its success," explained Liebens.
Bruno Nicolay, sound technician for RTBF takes up the story. "RTBF wanted to buy a complete PA system, a line array, stage monitors and small loudspeakers. The line array of choice had to be rather flexible as it was to be used in TV studios, variety shows,theatre and outdoor PA applications. As there are a lot of line array systems on the market these days we decided to make a pre-selection of systems, the Liège Jazz festival of 2004 and 2005 were good occasions to do this. After the pre selection, six systems were kept in the running. Thereafter three days of evaluation were organized in Studio 6 of RTBF TV and approximately thirty sound engineers participated. The evaluation sheet was very detailed and after sifting through them, two systems remained in the running. The results across all systems, the line array, monitors, delays and amplifiers, and the technical knowledge and follow up of the distributor Amptec, left d&b in first place. Having now used this system on the Belgian selection of Eurokids this choice has been confirmed." The final of the Eurovision for Kids was held in the new Ethias Hall in Hasselt, Belgium using the d&baudiotechnik Q1 loudspeaker system along with d&b monitors and E3s.
(Chris Henry)
