The Optocore fibre loop will form a digital backbone (with Sane extensions) for signal distribution to the amp racks, TTA Stagetracker localization and Yamaha processing. It also includes MADI converters.
The equipment was supplied by the company's Finnish distributor, msonic, who also assisted the theatre's long-serving technical manager Andreas (Stanley) Lönnquist - and the theatre's consultants (including Santtu Sipilä) - with the design and specification of the highly complex audio networking system, as well as the tender document. Locally based integration company, Hedcom Oy, had the capabilities to implement this within the time frame and were contracted to carry out the installation following their successful bid.
The digital infrastructure itself was mainly designed by Janne Sivonen and Lönnquist along with Tero Hölttä from msonic and Santtu Sipilä. Also assisting with the design was Optocore's support engineer, Maciek Janiszewski.
Optocore devices used in the installation include quantities of DD32R-FX providing AES/EBU I/O, X6R analogue converters, DD4MR-FX and DD2MR-FX dual MADI devices, compatible with Optocore's Cat5-based Sane platform.
This famous theatre, with its striking red and gold architectural décor, was originally designed by Russian architect Nikolaj Benois and built in 1866. It is the national stage for the Swedish speaking minority and has hosted many concerts and repertory theatre productions during its illustrious history. The great hall seats around 600 and a second studio theatre, around 100.
The decision to renovate the theatre was made several years ago with part of the previous technical equipment infrastructure sold or decommissioned, and part redeployed. However, Lönnquist has kept faith with d&b audiotechnik loudspeakers, now upgrading to the T-series, which will be the main sound reinforcement component among the 100-plus d&b speakers specified, while the former C-series will be relocated to the second room. DiGiCo digital consoles have been installed in both the FOH and monitor positions.
At front-of-house is a DiGiCo SD7T console, with EX-007 Sidecar and six SD-racks, while the monitor desk is a DiGiCo SD10. Three MADI units add the open standard connectivity to the DiGiCo environment in one Optocore-based loop.
The second, pure Optocore loop provides analogue, AES/EBU and MADI inputs and outputs throughout the entire building. The system is also equipped with multiple SANE-enabled Y3R-TP cards, providing digital channels to the Yamaha DME64 processors, while two DD32R-FX devices feed the amplifiers in the amp room.
The Optocore loops are connected by two DirectOut M1K2 MADI routers, each loop compatible with Optocore's 1Gbit network. The entire system has been designed to carry almost 1000 audio input channels.
(Jim Evans)
