Not Lego, but building blocks nevertheless
For a nation fixated on model building, (Germany has the highest per capita concentration of model railway enthusiasts in the world) they have outdone themselves for the World Cup. The notion is inspired. Accept the premise that there is just no way everyone who wants to attend the various matches of the World Cup can possibly be accommodated. Solution: place large format outdoor LED TV screens in prominent public spaces throughout German cities, then add a good quality PA system and voila, problem solved. Except that it's not quite the same experience: yes, you can see it all, arguably better than those actually watching the match in the stadium, and yes, you have the atmosphere of possibly being amongst a large crowd who all share in the excitement. The mutuality of the shared experience certainly heightens the pleasure, but it is not the stadium is it?
Adidas has found the ideal solution; one we think we'll see taken up more and more over the coming years. In the fair city of Berlin they have built the Adidas Arena; a scaffold and arena seating structure with a difference. Modelled in a scale rendition of the Berlin olympic stadium, they have even clad the exterior with scenic panels to complete the illusion. So it is that the ten thousand happy fans can enjoy the true stadium bon hommie and experience. And with the ardent modeller's eye for detail, to complete the Teutonic stadium feeling, all sounds from the televised games will be reproduced in full Vorsprung Durch Technik, by a German built d&b audiotechnik loudspeaker system.
The system comprises d&b's new line array J-Series, using J8, J12 and J subwoofers with some Q1s used for fills, all driven by d&b D12 amplifiers and provided by audio experts Eggs and Bulbs. Uniquely, for this is a temporary installation don't forget, the PA is being used to provide an emergency evacuation system "We have two presets in a PLC unit to switch the d&b D12 amplifiers to the 'B'-input to reconfigure the system to a set up without J-SUBs for the evacuation system," explained Martin Stoll from Eggs & Bulbs. "We have a Bosch Plena System with thirty two 100V loudspeakers with a battery power supply in case of power loss. But with power on you can speak over the PA and you can stop the normal signal to talk over it. We believe this is the first mobile stadium emergency evacuation system ever."
System designed by Martin Stoll of equipment suppliers Eggs & Bulbs with additional set up from Bernd Dimbek. Besides live football, the Arena will also host appearances by James Blunt and the McDonalds Football Club, Black Eyed Peas, Juanes, and a big TV Show with Thomas Gottschalk.
