At the heart of the system is a Riedel Artist 64 mainframe. Due to its modular approach Artist systems can easily be expanded up to to 1,024 x 1,024 non-blocking ports.
Twenty control panels from Riedel Artist 1000, 2000 and 5000 series are used at the Aalto Opera. To provide for maximum of flexibility, two stage manager booths were set up - one on each side of the stage - with the ability to switch between the two booths. Both include an Artist 1000 series control panel plus three expansion panels providing a total of 76 talk keys, which can be doubled using the shift page.
The control panels' keys feature an eight-digit LED display offering detailed labeling options. Four GPIO cards in the Artist mainframe enable the control panels to trigger light signals as well as switch monitors and seven different cameras. Additionally, the GPIO cards are responsible for controlling the opera's sound reinforcement system. The control is implemented using the extensive logic functions within Artist's configuration and control software Director. The software features drag & drop programming, which makes the whole process easy. Even large installations with numerous mainframes and a large number of control panels are easily installed and set up.
"For our new stage manager system it was important to us to find the most flexible solution. Riedel's Artist system not only features extensive configuration possibilities, but it's also amazingly flexible and versatile in daily operation," said Daniel Kaiser, chief technician at the Aalto Musiktheater.
Twelve Artist 2000 control panels integrate the audio and video control rooms, the audio console, the lighting and the technicians into one single communications infrastructure. Artist 5000 control panels in the stage area and the orchestra pit complete the installation. The technicians ' radio network is also integrated into the wired intercom system.
(Jim Evans)
