LCS Matrixing Valuable Audio Tool In Trade Show Exhibits

Systems recently specified by London-based Orbital Sound for two European trade show exhibits include Level Control Systems (LCS) Matrix 3 modular automated control systems to supply dynamic matrixing, in addition to digital processing, routing and mixing.

The systems – for Ford Motor Company at the Geneva Motor Show and for Motorola at CeBIT in Hanover – show how sound design with emerging digital tools can enhance applications like exhibits.

&#xIt is our aim to drive the creative use of sound in the exhibition environment forward to achieve more interesting atmospheres for exhibitors,” comments Chris Headlam, managing director for Orbital Sound. “To achieve this, a wide variety of automated processing tools are required, and uniquely, all of these are found within this third-generation LCS package. The LCS Matrix 3 has removed the need for large space hugging sound desks, and that alone makes it highly attractive to exhibitors who pay a premium price for stand space."

The Exterior of "The Avenue", Motorola’s exhibit utilizing an LCS Matrix 3 as the heart of a dynamic audio presentation system.

The basis of the Matrix 3 is the three-rack-space LX-300 frame. (Up to 32 LX-300 frames can be linked in a fault tolerant network, supporting a maximum of 400 audio inputs and 512 audio outputs.) Available I/O modules are CobraNet, ADAT Light Pipe, analog in and analog out, while processing modules include system DSP, link, EtherTracks, and comm/sync. All analog output modules are equipped with relays on each output and can be set up to provide automatic switching into spare frames when redundancy is desired.

Additional processing capability is now available with the inclusion of the new 6701 chip from Texas Instruments . Standard with every Matrix are compressors, parametric EQs, delays, multi-dimensional panning, and comprehensive external control. LCS also offers additional options such as Wild Tracks, a 16-track asynchronous playback system, Variable Room Acoustics System (VRAS), Ethernet control, SMPTE Time Code, and Automatic Gain Control (AGC).

Audio Designer Alan (Whizz) Mathieson, who worked with Orbital and MICE International on the system designs, notes that "the LCS Matrix 3 further advances the scope of all sound design and certainly increases the feasibility of using sound creatively in an exhibition environment. What previously took hours to program as an effect can now be done in a matter of minutes. Using the LCS SpaceMap feature, we created a multi-speaker pan at any time code point, almost instantly. The speed at which I could work as a designer enables us to realistically build the value of quality sound into every event".

The Matrix 3 user interface is modeled after a traditional sound reinforcement mixing console and uses a cue-based dynamic automation structure. CueStation software running on an external PC provides the interface for configuring and programming a Matrix3 system. Live operation can be done with CueStation, the compact CueMixer RIF-108, or the new CueConsoleTM modular control surface.

John Young, of MICE International, commented: "We were seriously impressed with the system Orbital supplied. It totally achieved our aims to seamlessly integrate audio as a valuable feature into our stand design without compromising on premium space. Constant adjustments were required on-site to handle the eve-changing volumes at CeBIT, the system handled this successfully. In addition, the technical support offered by the company right from the initial planning meetings, through to on-site maintenance, was consistently thorough making the show run very smoothly".

Orbital Sound adds that it is currently incorporating the Matrix 3 into several ongoing projects.