The recent 2021 edition of the Spring Festival Gala, staged annually by BTV (Beijing Radio and TV Station) in celebrating the Chinese New Year, presented recorded performances utilizing a 360-degree immersive performance area at the 3,600-square-meter studio of the Xingguang Film and TV Centre in Beijing, with CODA Audio N-RAY line arrays playing a key role in the proceedings.
The show presented production team Beijing Zenith Culture and Art Company with several challenges, including the design of the audio system, with the immersive approach meaning that performance areas were fragmented and a staggered layout was required. Audio specialist Ma Xin served as the chief sound designer for the event, faced with presenting an immersive audio experience while utlizing loudspeakers that were small and light in weight while delivering the designed directional control.
Without the necessary accuracy, there was an increased possibility of feedback, and also, sound reflections could compromise clarity across the venue in addition to impacting the recording quality of the broadcast. The combined weight of the other production elements present — lighting, video screens, special effects — left very little to spare for the audio system, further emphasising the need for compact loudspeakers.
“I selected the CODA Audio N-RAY not only for its sound quality but also its light weight and small size,” Ma Xin states. “The ability to accurately control the coverage angle was especially important — the ability to adjust the angles even by 1 degree can make a really noticeable difference.”
The production team also used loudspeakers from CODA Audio’s HOPS range to cater for areas away from the main coverage. These included HOPS8 loudspeakers on either side of the main stage as side fills and further HOPS8 and HOPS5 loudspeakers to cater for several sub-stages and entrance areas. In total, 12 N-RAY, eight HOPS8 and four HOPS5 enclosures were deployed for the event. Everyone working on the production, from the front of house engineer to the Director gave the audio a universally positive response. N-RAY’s power, clarity and adaptability were an important element in the success of this highly prestigious Gala performance.
“N-RAY certainly allowed the team working on the Spring Festival Gala to finesse the audio in exactly the way they required,” states David Webster, Global Marketing Director for CODA Audio. “The boxes are so powerful and adaptable, yet are small enough to be discreet amongst the rest of the production. Directivity was absolutely key to meet the demands of the space – Mr Ma Xin was clearly pleased with just how accurate this was. We’re very proud that CODA Audio was an integral part of such an important event in China and achieved such outstanding results. Our Chinese distributor Zhejiang Tongbo Technology is doing a fantastic job of spreading the CODA message on our behalf, as events like this readily demonstrate.”
