MONTREAL, Canada – Working with evenko, Solotech and Infinite Island Power, Sennheiser Canada provided K-array loudspeakers and subwoofers, an Innovason Eclipse digital console and Sennheiser microphones to the Sennheiser Green Stage at the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival.
Infinite Island Power energized the stage with Sharp solar panels, WindTronics wind turbines, clean gas generators and battery storage devices, together with the computer control technology that synchronized and optimized the energy portfolio's sustained output. Hamlet Heavy Timberwork built the lighting and sound deck out of locally-harvested and recycled timber.
Along with LED lighting from Solotech, the K-array loudspeakers and subwoofers helped keep the energy needs for the stage to a minimum. "The K-Array products are remarkably efficient," said Vaino Gennaro, business director for live sound products at Sennheiser Canada.
Gennaro also noted that that the Innovason Eclipse conserved energy by eliminating the need for outboard gear – and the power those units might need to operate. "With just one box, we can run the whole show."
Gennaro designed the stage's PA system with three K-array KH4 two-way line arrays per side in a true stereo configuration. Six K-array KS4 dipole subwoofers and two KO70 sub bass speakers per side added bass, and four K-array KH15 two-way line arrays spread across the front of the stage provided front fill. All of the K-array units that were used are self-powered.
Dan Fletcher, engineer with Infinite Island Power, figured that the K-array setup required 45 percent less power than alternative sound reinforcement systems. "The energy savings are substantial," he noted.
Monk McClements, chief sound engineer at the Green Stage, added that the energy savings didn't come at the expense of audio quality. "All 13 of the sound engineers who worked with this system were very impressed by the vivid, full-frequency sound, from the lowest lows to the highest highs and the evenness in between. The sound quality rivaled any stage with any system."
Sennheiser also supplied the stage with live microphones including three e 935 wired vocal mics, six e 906 guitar cabinet mics and two MD 421 II bass cabinet mics. Dual drum risers each had four e 904 clip-on tom mics, one e 905 snare mic, one 901 & 902 bass drum mic combo, and three small-diaphragm e 914 condensers for overheads and hi-hats.
Four channels of ew 500-935 G3 wireless microphones and four channels of ew 300 IEM G3 wireless personal monitors were also available to the performers, including Beach House, We Are Wolves, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Devo, among others.
For more information, please visit www.sennheiser.com.
