The Svenska Teatern, a Swedish-speaking theatre in Helsinki, has been fitted with an Optocore system as part of a completely new technical infrastructure.
With its striking red and gold architectural décor, the 600-seat venue – originally designed by Russian architect Nikolaj Benois and built in 1866 – needed upgrading in time for the Finnish premier of Kristina från Duvemåla — the hit musical written by former ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson — which commenced the end of February 2012 at the theatre.
Finnish distributor for Optocore, msonic, supplied the solution, which incorporates Optocore’s DD32R-FX – providing AES/EBU inputs and outputs – X6R analog converters, DD4MR-FX and DD2MR-FX dual MADI devices, which are compatible with the company’s Cat5-based SANE platform.
The Optocore fibre loop forms the digital backbone (with SANE extensions) for signal distribution to the amp racks, TTA Stagetracker localisation and Yamaha processing. Meanwhile d&b audiotechnik T-series loudspeakers act as the main sound reinforcement component among the 100-plus d&b speakers specified, while the former C-series speakers, which had been installed in the main auditorium, have been relocated to the second smaller 100-seat room in the venue.
“The main aim was to keep the entire signal path digital, in order to maintain the audio quality and keep the latency as low as possible,” said msonic sound engineer Tero Hölttä.
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 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.
