Harman's HiQnet connectivity and control protocol was used within a CobraNet environment so that all audio and control data could be routed over a common Ethernet pipe. Making its debut alongside other HiQnet-compatible devices in the Harman product portfolio were five of the new dbx DriveRack 4800's - the first to be used outside the United States - optimizing the performance of the two powered 10 x JBL VT 4888 DP-CN Vertec line array hangs.
With its 96kHz DSP engine and standard analog/digital I/O outputs, the 4800 was run in conjunction with Crown I-Tech 8000 and 6000 amplification at San Remo. One of the technical support team, Roberto Frigerio, says: "We are running the whole system through the 4800 - the two VT hangs, the two low and high VRX balcony delay clusters and the analog pick-up signals; we take the AES-EBU signals and can control all crossover and EQ functions on the PC, with the DriveRack also handling the mutes and delay taps."
In addition he was also monitoring the performance of the AKG WMS4000 wireless mics (used on the orchestra), where each receiver, attached to a hub, was programmed, monitored and controlled via HiQnet.
RAI technical director, Mauro Severoni, who co-ordinated the event's audio, says, "This solution makes life so much easier. The system set-up, management and control are far superior than anything we have had before."
The RAI technical team, headed by event manager Alessandro Bernardi and production manager Franco Adinolfi, were assisted by Audio Pro Group (APG) through their subsidiaries, Audio Equipment and Analog & Digital Technology, which provided support during the project and all the phases of the festival.
APG's Marco Porro, was delighted with the DriveRack's debut and said that it gave the system greater flexibility and controllability. "Because of the unusual topology of the theatre it has been easier to use HiQnet to control different elements of the system. It delivers better audio and has a lot of extra features, including faster processing speed and the HiQnet and CobraNet support."
Because the event was televised by RAI over a five night period, splits were sent from a MADI interface, which was responsible for distributing 680 signals to production consoles in the broadcast room as well as the live sound desks and OB truck.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
