CAIRNS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

North Queensland’s New Performing Arts Epicentre

Cairns CPAC a FNQ cultural epicentre.

Text:/ John O’Brien

After a long and protracted genesis, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) opened to the public on 15th December 2018. Two decades in planning and two years in construction, it replaced the ageing Cairns Civic Centre with a state-of-the-art facility to support local, regional and touring performances. CPAC features a 941- seat proscenium auditorium with full fly system (the only one in far north Queensland) and a reconfigurable 400-seat performance space, rehearsal and warm-up area. As part of the upgrade, these rooms received brand new audio gear, matching the quality of the new venue. Some of this equipment is also used at the adjoining amphitheatre in Munro Martin Parklands.

Theatre consultants Schuler Shook conducted a feasibility study and ended up completing full planning and design for the technical elements of this project. Its sound system specification outline required SPL levels, room coverage and some specific equipment but left the brief open enough to cater for quality non-conforming tender responses. For consistency and continuity, one tender covered both performance spaces.

Graeme Hicks at Entertainment Production Services (EPS) pitched a proposal based on a range of d&b loudspeakers with Midas front ends. Principal contractor FKG accepted the bid without a conventional speaker shootout, primarily because the 3D modelling and industry standard specified coverage and levels were easily met. Besides, they did not yet have a building to test any gear in!

VIRTUAL REALITY d&b’s ArrayCalc simulation software modelled the spaces and derived the ideal combination of products from the projected dB/SPL overlays onto the virtual rooms. A mix of loudspeakers are deployed to ensure sound quality is consistent throughout all seating positions in each room.

So how does this convert from paper and screen to real life? According to CPAC Technical Manager, Jon Driver: “It translates very realistically. I was expecting serious industry standard gear and certainly got it.”

The main theatre system consists of left and right arrays of 6 x V8, 4 x V12, and 3 x V-SUB per side. 2 x V10P speakers are used for room infill and 6 x E6 boxes cover the balcony. 15 x 4S speakers enable multiple fill configurations around the stage and pit lips. This flexibility is enhanced with 6 x T10s for portable fill and a V-GSUB for extra stage oomph. Onstage foldback is catered for with 8 x M4 monitor wedges. Driving all these speakers is a combination of d&b 30D and 10D amplifiers.

With its automated flooring system, the smaller but more versatile Studio space has a rig of 2 x Y7P and 1 x Y-SUB flown per side, 4 x E6 and 16 x 8S handling fill duties and a pair of M4s for foldback. D20, 30D, and 10D amps power these speakers.

Both rooms feature Midas PRO-X desks fixed in place out front. The venue has a third PRO-X, used for monitor mixing on stage in the Theatre or as an alternative FOH position in the Studio.

JD: “Using PRO-X is a really good option, because the nearby Tanks Arts Centre also uses

PRO-X, so local operators already understand the PRO series platform, allowing a consistency of training between venues. Plus, it’s also a really nice product.” Toowoomba’s Empire theatre also has PRO desks — another continuity plus for the locals.

THE INS & OUTS Handfuls of DL231 IOs send 96kHz AES50 digital audio to the amps and d&b R1 remote software and native digitally enabled amplifiers take over from there. As the d&b supplier, NAS provided considerable technical assistance. NAS’s Doug Pringle and Dave Jacques were onsite helping to commission the systems, time aligning delays for fills, setting up snapshots of common configurations for different room layouts and storing simple base configurations.

These start with basic L/R and sub level control

for client operators and R1 looks after the rest of the room. It has delivered a very flexible system with easy home positions to default to, but with full power available for more experienced hands. 6 x IO boxes (24 IO) can be put anywhere on the network or in the venues, allowing great flexibility in audio routing and formation. DANTE cards are in all desks and can send audio from theatre to studio (holding area for casts of hundreds), to external OB or wherever needed. Even redundant analogue links have been included for touring rigs, covering all configuration options.

JD: “Soundproofing is also excellent. The acousticians and architects have done amazing job with setup and isolation between venues.” With live performances being the most regular gig here, this has been crucial.

JD: “It’s great to have a d&b rig located between the rainforest and the reef. Since the

upgrade, we haven’t had to bring equipment in to supplement any of our shows.” Being a long way from capital city gear hire, this is a legitimate concern, as is reliability and backup. “The five year warranty is particularly good. We are a local community venue after all. Dealing with NAS is always a pleasure and they are very helpful. Graeme at EPS was great bringing it all together.”

IT’S SHOWTIME Reception from the Cairns public has been excellent. 4500 locals attended the opening day and were suitably impressed. For the city and local arts scene, it’s been a boon.

JD: “This place is going to be here for a long time. For the last 20 years, we’ve been hearing ‘When are you getting a new venue?’ We could have spent less but we did it justice and did it the right way.”

The venue staff also listen closely to feedback from touring acts - their crew are very happy with what they find and the system has been pretty much flawless. Listening to these experienced heads has “saved a lot of discussion at the loading dock.”

JD: “The hirer will drive the direction of what we buy and how we run systems. With this in mind, we know that d&b/PRO-X will facilitate that for a long time into the future. What we have got now is pretty impressive and definitely top stuff. We now have the most accurate dispersion control throughout the entire frequency range.”

From simple lectern only to school presentations and musicals, local dance shows, junior eisteddfods and a variety of cinema sessions – from local community events to professional touring acts – one system does it all. 

NEW Model – Gilkon FP 7 ML Flat Screen Mobile Lift – Manual Adjustment

The Gilkon FP 7 ML is a heavy duty mobile mount for single monitor’s. It has manual raise and lower adjustment height settings for flat screen (landscape orientation). Adjustable height enables inclusive student learning.

Low cost Height adjustable Screen size up to 86" Weight capacity up to 120kgs VESA universal mount options 5 year warranty

AV Presentation & Storage Solutions

HDBaseT SPEC 3.0 HDBaseT isn’t taking the AV over IP revolution lying down, with a new 3.0 spec that allows for the transmission of HDMI 2.0 over 100m via 1Gb ethernet. Spec 3.0 promises uncompressed content, while still converging multiple interfaces over a single cable and it’s backwards compatible. Considering uncompressed HDMI 2.0 demands 18Gbps bandwidth, how can HDBaseT transmit HDMI 2.0 4K@60 4:4:4 and yet, claim it is uncompressed? According to HDBaseT, it’s because its technology can do without the 20% overhead that HDMI 2.0 demands, and as such can transmit the fully uncompressed video without compromising signals or affecting latency. HDMI utilises Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) protocol, which implements an 8-bit data into a 10-bit signal coding. Over the HDBaseT link, only the 8-bit data is transmitted. That means that the 18Gbps rate of TMDS channels is easily transferred over HDBaseT’s 16Gbps bandwidth. HDBaseT: www.hdbaset.com

TAKING AIMS SDVoE has been gathering momentum over the last few years with its noholds-barred 10Gb uncompressed solution, and there’s still a lot of love in the room for point-to-point HDBaseT, but people also love a good open standard. Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) ProAV Working Group used the ISE show to introduce Internet Protocol Media Experience (IPMX), a set of open standards and specifications (based on SMPTE ST2110) designed to enable carriage of compressed and uncompressed video, audio, and data over IP networks. IPMX scratches an itch for a single set of common standards-based protocols that ensure interoperability for AV over IP. IPMX incorporates further features tailored to Pro AV installations. These features include AMWA NMOS IS-04 and IS-05 for discovery, registration, and connection management; and specifications for copy protection and security. IPMX is the result of the AIMS Pro AV Working Group’s efforts to define an open-standards approach to addressing the Pro AV world’s move toward IP media. The working group’s approach for Pro AV follows AIMS’ broader efforts with the broadcast/media industry — namely, to promote multivendor interoperability that will foster long-term protection of customers’ investments in technology and products. AIMS: www.aimsalliance.org

NEWS IN BRIEF:

MadisonAV has been appointed distributor of AMX, SVSI, and install ranges of AKG, BSS, Crown and JBL Professional in Australia — the portfolio include the complete range of AMX video control solutions and Harman Professional install and integration audio product suite. Ken Kyle, CEO, MadisonAV: “We understand our customers’ need for world class products and solutions along with reliable after sales service support. With our hands-on experience and coverage in the Australia market, we are excited to bring Harman Professional Video, Install Audio and Integrated Solutions to our customers and elevate their experiences.” MadisonAV: 1800 436 378 or at connect@ madisonav.com.au

avt has closed its doors after 30-plus years on the regional AV landscape, primarily as the local face of AMX. No one could doubt avt’s commitment to AMX over the years, where it punched above its weight worldwide thanks to some outstanding backup and brand advocacy. Things changed markedly when Harman purchased AMX and shook up the distribution mix. From avt: “We have enjoyed shaping this industry and have always been a passionate participant, wanting to add value and provide our region with leading technology.”

PAVT has parted company with ClearOne after a 28-year relationship, ending its distribution arrangement for the Australian and New Zealand territories. PAVT’s press release said: “We enjoyed market dominance, the ability to lead an industry in both technology and its application, and were privileged to work with world-leading institutions and facilities. Increasingly we feel our territory’s needs and ClearOne’s direction are diverging, and that our energy and resources would better service our market if deployed elsewhere.” PAVT: (03) 9264 8000 or pavt.com.au

Michael Lasa departs Soundcorp. Mike and the Rutledges sold their shares to Diversified (US) last year and, after 29 years, Mike has decided to ‘ring the bell’ and exit the business. “During my time with both Rutledge AV and Soundcorp I have worked on some amazing projects both locally and overseas and have had the pleasure of working with some of the best, most talented people in our industry. Throughout this journey I’ve made some lifelong friendships, created some great memories and experiences, travelled the world many times over, all whilst having fun along the way.” The day to day operations in the Soundcorp office is being handled by Kylie James. Soundcorp: www.soundcorp.com.au

What with Hills dissolving its AV business and Biamp buying up Community, it comes as no surprise that Community Loudspeakers has found a home in the Jands fold. Fellow Biamp stablemate, Apart Audio, also joins the distribution portfolio. Community has had some interesting wins over recent years and will be an interesting complement to the Jands line that already includes ElectroVoice. “We’re proud to be chosen to represent Biamp’s full line of products in Australia and New Zealand,” said Geoff Smith, GM at Jands Distribution. “We are now able to offer customers in the region our full product portfolio from a single distributor — including Apart retail and hospitality loudspeakers, Community large venue loudspeakers, and Cambridge Sound Management solutions,” said Biamp boss, Rashid Skaf. Jands: (02) 9582 0909 or www.jands.com.au

MadisonAV adds Philips Professional Display Panels to its portfolio of world leading brands. Madison will be offering an array of Professional Display Solutions by Philips including Commercial Display Panels, Video Wall and interactive Touch Panels and High Brightness and Special Application Panels. Meanwhile, Westan continues to distribute Philips Signage displays and exclusively distributes Hospitality TVs in Australia and New Zealand. MadisonAV: 1800 436 378 or at connect@ madisonav.com.au

Alloys and ViewSonic have formed a strategic business partnership. The new agreement reflects ViewSonic’s confidence in its ViewBoard interactive flat panel products — engaging a specialised distributor such as Alloys to assist in selling into the channel, especially the education sector, where Alloys has a proven track record. Alloys has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide; each office has a showroom, sales and logistic operations as well as warehousing. Craig Scott, CTO of ViewSonic and president of ViewSonic EME/ANZ: “Whether at work or in the classroom, myViewBoard was conceived to work in tandem with world-class solutions; and make collaboration and sharing more dynamic and seamless across different platforms.” Alloys: www.alloys.com.au

AV Stumpfl‘s brand new media server and software, built from the ground up, combines the ability to create projects both large and small, with a focus on speed and ease of use. Features like being able to load your Vectorworks and 3ds Max files straight into PIXERA and work on them in a 3D space as well as blind edit and live preview from the timeline make any project a dream.

The PIXERA range is available in both a software only and turnkey hardware solution format. Contact your local team at Show Technology and for a demo and test drive.

The award winning PIXERA media server system combines a revolutionary GUI approach with powerful and reliable hardware, perfect for live events, projection mapping or multi-display applications.

PIXERA servers are available with 2, 4 or 8 outputs and with optional automatic camera calibration.

Discover the latest AV Stumpfl products at www.showtech.com.au/avstumpfl