Since then, Dramaten has gone from strength to strength and recently its six stages (five in-house, one at the satellite Östermalm site) have undergone a major refit with Yamaha audio equipment.
Yamaha DME24N, DME32 and DME64N digital mix engines feature at the heart of the main stage system, with DM2000 and DM1000 mixing consoles, AD824 and DA824 converters and a range of power amplifiers, including ten PC4800N, six P2160, three PC4801N and two PC2602M which drive a combination of Meyer and L-Acoustics loudspeakers.
"At the heart of the main stage is a bespoke temperature-controlled amplifier room, where the amplifiers, DMEs and AD/DA converters are all housed," says main stage sound engineer Stephanie Burberry. The consoles are housed two separate mixing positions. The DM1000 is used by a stage manager for running shows that are pre-programmed with Stage Research SFX software. From the mix position, MIDI commands are used to operate the DM1000 and DME64N. "It works very well as an automated system that can be run by someone who isn't a sound technician," says Stephanie. "It gives us a lot of flexibility for smaller shows."
The DM2000 is housed at a main FOH position for running bigger shows, operated by a sound technician. "These are generally shows using live sound as well as pre-recorded effects," Stephanie continues.
"On all our larger stages, we rehearse one play during the day and perform another in the evening, so the ability to save and instantly recall show files is very important. Indeed, the system gives us the versatility to potentially run several different shows on the same day."
The DME64N is used for FOH and stage monitoring, while the DME32 controls 24 surround speakers in the auditorium. "It gives me the flexibility of using the auditorium speakers either as a delayed system or as stand-alone speakers for different effects," says Stephanie. "Using the digital mix engines means that nobody has to change any hard patches in the amp room."
Dramaten's Stage 1 (Lilla Scen) also featured a comprehensive Yamaha system, including a DME32 digital mix engine, DM1000 console, AD824, DA824 and AD8HR converters, plus PC6501N, PC2002M, P2250 and XM6150 amplifiers.
"We have chosen Yamaha equipment when it comes to mixing desks, matrixes and pre-amps to make transition easy between the different stages," says Stephanie. "The standardisation of equipment means that our designers and technicians can effortlessly work on all the stages, without the need for remembering different operating systems or product layouts."
The other three stages at Dramaten's main site all also feature Yamaha equipment. Stage 2 (MÃ¥larsalen) had a DM1000 console with PC2602M and PC6501 amplifiers, Stage 3 (Tornrummet) an 03D console and Stage 4 (Lejonkulan) a DM1000 console plus PC2602M amplifiers.Meanwhile, the satellite Elverket stage is equipped with 03D and DM1000 consoles, plus P2250, PC2002M and PC2602M amplifiers.
"We don't need matrix systems for our smaller stages, as only one show at a time is run on them, with everything being torn down and built for each individual production," says Stephanie.
"In addition, we use DM1000s and DM2000s for touring purposes. They are very good for that, as well as we can rent a desk in for a tour and rapidly load in all the show files at each venue, which saves a great deal of time."
(Lee Baldock)
