The Marbach state stud farm from Baden-Wuerttemberg celebrates its 500th birthday this year and the Marbach Classics Open Air, which took place in July 2014, was the brilliant climax in the anniversary calendar of the stud farm.
The Ross Ballet, consisting of 90 horses from various top European stud farms and 200 performers, fascinated 7 500 visitors in the Marbach Arena. The Wurttemberg Philharmonic of Reutlingen accompanied the spectacle with symphonic live music. Alcons Audio facilitated the sound everywhere with the LR24 pro-ribbon line-array system.
The technical supplier for sound at the event was dlp motive, who put the Alcons LR24 pro-ribbon line array to the test. The LR24 is a larger line-array system that can both be permanently installed as well as be used in touring. It was developed for a 1:1 linear reproduction of the original sound source – regardless of sound pressure level.
The main PA of Marbach Classics consisted of eight modules LR24 each and four BC543 as well as two BC332 cardioid bass per side. Here, the LR24 line-array with two 12-inch woofers, four 6.5-inch midranges and one RBN1402rsr 14-inch pro-ribbon driver were deployed and driven by Alcons Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controllers. These system amplifiers, 10 in total, already contain all the presets for the LR24 and the subwoofers, process the signal via 96kHz AES / EBU inputs and are remotely-controlled over network.
Since the Alcons system shows a completely neutral response behavior, it can be used for many applications – from pure speech transmission over classical music and jazz to pop and rock performances. Matthias Reusch FOH Marbach Classics on LR24 says: “Thanks to the pro-ribbon tweeter, the sound of the high frequencies is very natural, just what in classical music enables a very harmonious sound. Also and especially at greater distances, the system ensures a full-bodied warm and crystal-clear sound. Overall, the LR24 system shows an extremely high feedback resistance. It has fully met and exceeded our expectations.”
“With the LR24 we could produce a very homogeneous sound distribution throughout the seated layout area. The lower frame is also equipped with wheels, which facilitates the set-up and strike of the array,” adds system engineer Rolf Dreyer.
A particular challenge at the Marbach Classics, was to omit sound from the mounted area, so as not to irritate the horses. However, since the dividing line between the seated audience area and the mounted performance area was very small, a very accurate projection had to be calculated in order to meet this requirement. “Since the LR24 system has an extremely precise vertical alignment with very small splay angles, the desired separation could easily be obtained,” explains Dreyer.
The Marbach stud farm from Baden-Wuerttemberg is the oldest German state stud farm and attracts around 500 000 visitors a year.
