An Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing system was recently employed at the head of a system deployed for the celebration of Mass held during an official visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Brno, the Czech Republic’s second largest city.
The event was attended by 120,000 members of the public and VIP’s including Czech President Václav Klaus. The ceremony was held in the grounds of the city’s airport, and included seating for the public worshippers, a VIP stage for the Pope and dignitaries, and a second stage for musicians.
Audio was managed by PA company, Audioblue, which selected an iLive system, comprising an iDR10 MixRack and iLive-144 Control Surface, and RCF loudspeakers.
Audio requirements included house sound, including three delay zones, as well as monitors for the VIP stage and the musicians on a second stage. Due to architectural restrictions, the mix position was located next to the music stage at monitor position.
Audioblue Owner Tomáš Barták, who mixed the event, noted, “Thanks to its flexible design, iLive fulfilled its role as a centerpiece of the whole sound system, handling both FOH and monitor mixing, processing and EQ. The matrix outputs were used to drive the delay zones, and iLive proved that it is possible to run a simple sound system for a large event ‘just with a mixer and some active loudspeakers.”
The day-long event began with Mass held by the Pope, followed by a musical program of traditional folk bands and choirs, including the Olomouc Garisson military brass band, Hradišťan South Moravian traditional Dulcimer band, and the Kyjovánek South Moravian traditional children’s folk group.
“Everything went very smoothly thanks to the excellent, flexible and reliable equipment employed. iLive was the optimum solution for such a demanding event, managing the multiple performers and extensive sound reinforcement area with ease,” concluded Barták.
