E&E brings Axient to The Esplanade
Published: ASIA
SINGAPORE: The iconic Singaporean performing arts centre, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, has completely overhauled its wireless microphone system, purchasing a Shure Axient wireless management network. After a strenuous tender, review process and evaluation, the Esplanade team decided that the Axient system best met their needs following various success stories in other similar venues in Singapore. The system was acquired through the manufacturer’s authorised dealer, Electronics & Engineering.
‘The main aim of the overhaul project was to replace our existing wireless microphone systems so that Esplanade complies with Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore’s pending Frequency Allocation and Assignment regulations,’ explained Ed Ferguson, technical manager, Sound at The Esplanade Co Ltd. ‘We required a flexible, deployable system capable of exceptional audio quality and the high demands of our operations, and we found that Shure Axient met these requirements. We feel that Axient has been designed with the end-user in mind and has several useful and ergonomic features that cater to our needs.’
In total, 172 channels of Axient and 32 channels of PSM1000 personal monitors have been installed in the venue, including 16 channels of Axient in the concert hall, 32 channels of Axient in the theatre, and eight channels of Axient in the recital studio, theatre studio, the concourse and the outdoor theatre. A further 60 channels of Axient installed in portable racks and 32 channels of Axient with UR3 plug-on transmitters have been deployed to cater for all the spaces within the venue, for either an expansion to fixed systems or working independently.
The manufacturer’s Wireless Workbench (WWB) software was also chosen for full monitoring of the frequency network. The software allows engineers to save scan files in the RF History during rehearsals to provide details about the RF environment. It also provides real-time monitoring of the network with live remote adjustments during each performance, enabling engineers to monitor the frequency, audio gain, RF output power, battery life and other information for each channel of all the wireless systems installed.
‘Axient has marked significant technological advancement that helped us redefine previous production parameters,’ said E&E deputy managing director, Gary Goh. ‘Knowing that The Esplanade continuously hosts a myriad activities, we put forward a complete solution that offers flexible, user-friendly productions for unprecedented audio in any environment. We accomplished the wireless multichannel application by combining Shure’s technology with proper design to overcome interferences issues traditionally linked to RF-intensive productions.’