InBroadcast - June 2023 - 22

TM
22
www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 13 - Issue 6 | June 2023
InStudio
Welsh National Opera
upgrades with Riedel Bolero
Prestigious opera company stays in tune on tour with wireless solution from Riedel...
landmark
B
ased in Cardiff's
Wales
Welsh National
Millennium Centre,
Opera (WNO) is
one of the most prolific operatic
ensembles in the UK, with a national
and international
touring schedule
that consists of an average of 120
performances per year. In need of
a
system, WNO recently
Autograph Sound.
" We spend
new in-house communication
invested in
a full Riedel Bolero digital wireless
intercom system, specified
by
around 5-7 weeks,
twice a year, at our home in the
Millennium Centre, producing our
operas. From there, we head off on
tour for around 7 weeks at a time, "
explains Benjamin Naylor, Head of
Lighting and Sound at WNO. " We're
on the move a lot and require a
communication system that works for
us, not against us. "
Prior to the upgrade, the team
at WNO were using an outdated
digital wireless system, which had
served them well for around 7 years
but had run its course as upgrade
requirements
and
maintenance
began to incur considerable costs.
" The old system was liable to a lot
of interference on the line, and from
a health and safety point of view we
needed a system that provided clear
communication, " explains
Naylor.
" Range is also important for us - our
team covers a lot of ground. "
Autograph recommended
system from Riedel,
wireless
clear
critical
choice
that
fitted
a
a
WNO's
needs. " Welsh National
Opera stressed the fact that they
wanted a system that was quick
and efficient to set up when they go
on tour, " explains Nacho Lee, UK
Sales Manager at Riedel. " Clarity
of communication was the second
most
important
requirement.
Riedel Bolero ticks several boxes
for systems that move around a lot:
clear communication, ease of use
and
to the test both at home and on tour.
" We implemented a soft introduction
of the system, to ensure everyone
was
confident
using Bolero, "
explains Thomas Roberts, Lighting
Supervisor at WNO. " During the first
season, we configured the Bolero
system like our old system before
rolling out more features throughout
the company. "
" We use 2-4 channels at a time,
with roles defined per department
plus
separate chat
incredible range, no matter
the venue. So, we recommended
Bolero. "
The system was commissioned in
August 2022, with both Riedel and
Autograph in attendance to ensure
WNO were confident in setting up
and using the Bolero system. " In
total, the system consisted of three
wireless
Bolero
belt
antenna w/PSU, fifteen
packs,
chargers with rack mount kits, an
NSA-002A interface box with
three 5 bay
rack
mount kit and the standalone licence
for the system. A network switch for
communication and supplying POE to
the antenna and NSA units were also
part of the package, " explains Will
Cottrell, Technical Sales Engineer at
Autograph.
Once installed, the system was put
channels
alongside the main channel, to
avoid overloading any one channel, "
continues Roberts. " Not only does
this system provide the best audio
quality
I've ever experienced, but
it's also much better at dealing with
distances between team members
than our previous system. It's like
having a normal conversation with
someone - you can hear the inflection
in people's voices so it's easy to
determine who is speaking. "
The intuitive user interface of the
Bolero system has also improved
WNO's communications. " The user
experience couldn't be simpler. The
screen is easy to understand, and
the buttons are much nicer than
competitors' offerings, " confirms
Roberts. Stage Manager, Amy Batty
echoes these sentiments and adds:
" The ergonomics are good and the
buttons
are intuitive and easily
accessible. You forget you're wearing
it and it becomes part of the day, part
of the routine - there's no thinking,
we just use it. "
One of
the most
crucial
requirements of the system was its
portability. " With the new Riedel
system, we just pack the system in
a flight case and take it with us, "
explains Roberts, who is responsible
for maintaining and managing the
communications
systems. " Once
we arrive at a venue, we unpack the
system, install two antennas and
we're ready to go. "
The project has been a success for
all parties involved, and WNO can
now rely on the system to support
them throughout
their touring
season. " It was great to work with a
company as well-known and historic
as Welsh National Opera, " reflects
Cottrell of Autograph. " The end result
of this project
is a very reliable,
clear and portable system which
allows the same excellent levels of
communication whether at home in
Cardiff or on tour. "
https://www.riedel.net
Riedel Bolero in use at Welsh National Opera
http://www.inbroadcast.com https://inbroadcast.com/news/welsh-national-opera-upgrades-with-riedel-bolero https://inbroadcast.com/news/welsh-national-opera-upgrades-with-riedel-bolero https://www.riedel.net https://inbroadcast.com/news/welsh-national-opera-upgrades-with-riedel-bolero
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