TiMax SoundHub-M, the latest addition to the TiMax2 SoundHub suite of matrix processors and audio show control products, has been installed in three museums across Belgium.
Targeted towards museums, visitor attractions, rides, hospitality, retail and other AV installations, it provides a multi-channel playback server and multizone processor and controller linked with directional audio localisation and spatialisation for a higher level of message impact and immersion to the all-important visitor experience.
Karel De Piere, MD at FACE, TiMax’s distributor in Belgium, explained: “TiMax SoundHub is the only processor combining spatial sound imaging with state of the art audio matrix and playback functions in a single product. Previously, we would set up a full rack of equipment, spend most of our time making them talk to each other in sync and making sure it is all stable.”
At the Museum Of Original Figurines, which showcases highly-collectible figurines from comic strips as well as original drawings and plates, using multiple ‘windows’ into their heroic world, the TiMax2 SoundHub was programmed by FACE engineer, Stijn Vermeiren, to provide multiple soundtracks localised by the TiMax delay-matrix for each of the different character zones and feature exhibits of the museum – as well as presets for music, PA and visitor announcements. FACE was also approached by Antwerp’s new €33.5 million Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) Museum. To provide audio processing, distribution and playback systems.
A TiMax2 SoundHub matrix server was deployed in a 7th floor space themed ‘Life & Death’, where the soundscape’s principle focus was to provide dramatic atmospheres and immersion for the visitors. In addition to its onboard sound effects playback and showcontrol interfacing, TiMax provided parametric EQ on inputs and outputs for source sweetening and room tuning, plus assignable control Groups for multi-zone level trimming and source mixing.
Genk’s C-Mine Museum transformed the old red brick building of the former Winterslag coal mine into a 5,000sqm cultural centre and tourist attraction. As visitors walk down towards the main mine elevator shaft area they are accompanied by various sound files: recordings of miners talking on their way to work, the sounds of their equipment and tools, and the clank and groan of the mine elevators.
Stijn said: “I built a calculator macro for Excel to create the dynamic timelines between the speakers’ delay times per scene and simply loaded it into TiMax Soundhub. From there the museum architect could fully control the speed and intensity of the sound files to change them as he wanted. As visitors immediately heard the new effects, tweaks were made until we saw only smiling faces! This reflected in a pre-production time of just a day with a further day of on-site commissioning. So we delivered a major difference and better results in less time!”
