TPMC

The view from stage

The new Sanctuary

The Multi Purpose Hall

The Soundcraft Vi1 digital console

I've been in Singapore the last few days testing and commissioning the technical systems in TPMC. This project has been going on for a while now and I've been waiting with eager anticipation for its completion. Just to give you some background - the TPMC project is a renovation of the existing hall with two new halls being added to the building; I was engaged as consultant for the two new spaces.

The new sanctuary seats 900 plus, while the multi purpose hall(MPH) seats 300. The MPH was completed last year and the sanctuary just a few weeks ago. The technical design had to be tailored to the unique shape of the sanctuary, the architects Laud, had designed an assymetrical plan layout. The audio system was a true stereo design consisting of EAW AX series loudspeakers. The narrower layout of the sanctuary meant that this was a possibility right from the start. EASE modeling comfirmed that the time integration needed for stereo imaging was possible. Final testing yesterday confirmed that there was stereo imaging over the majority of the seating areas. The console was a Soundcraft Vi1, one of the first to be installed in Singapore.

Stage lighting consisted of a mixture of PAR cans, ETC Source 4 ellipsoidals and parnels on 4 motorised bars over stage and a catwalk in the house. Control was via an Avolites Tiger - a small but powerful fella, with future addition of movers as part of the longer term plan.

Video projection was through a Panasonic 10K lumens machine with Extron switching. The image was projected on the rear stage wall which was painted matte white as part of a feature wall.

Acoustics consisted of baffle absorbers installed at high level and in the rear of the hall. There are a series of diffussive elements incorporated in the feature wall as part of the interior design. The reverberation time at mid frequencies is 1 second and the sound in the sanctuary is warm and detailed. There are some issues with the airconditioning system, but these will be sorted out in due time.

All in all, I had a great time with KT from TPMC and E&E the contractors.

social media

A most interesting statistic - Australia is leading the way in terms of usage of social media... so says Stuart Buchanan of the nest. Aussies who are web savvy spend an average of 18.5 hours online a week. Stuart is in town training and sharing the benefits of social media to the arts community in Bendigo today.

It's interesting how communications and relationships have changed over the last decade or so, since the internet became available to the masses... Traditional media like newspapers, television and other print media are suffering financial losses as the next generation of users move away from them and embrace digital media in a way never before imagined. As a result of this, organisations who are not on board are scrambling to come up with various strategies to take the quantum leap into the social media phenomenon. Often the biggest hurdle is knowing who you're talking to, how you talk to them and what sort of things would actually interest the people you are trying to engage....the road to successful social media is littered with casualties all along the sidewalk :)

One thing that's for sure, it's changed the way I communicate with others in my work as a consultant and trainer. I don't have a lot of time to spend on a website, so I reckon social media is one of the more viable options. Project photos, my blog, social networking sites such as FB, VoIP calls via Skype and virtual net meetings are a regular part of my life now. This simple blogsite has been up since 2007 and allow me to express my thoughts and technical observations to all who are interested. My technical photos are up on Flickr and allow for quick visual communication of ideas and concepts to clients. Facebook, Skype and other instant messaging services allow me to communicate with clients all around the world, bridging the distance and time zones, and usually resulting in an extremely fast response time. There's still a long way to go.....but I reckon I'm getting there....

Victorian Arts Centre

Spent the day at the Victorian Arts Centre a couple of weeks ago...it was the last week for Hamer Hall, which will close for 24 months of renovations to acoustics, technical systems and spaces. Chicago firm Schuler Shook has been appointed as the technical consultants for the job with leading Aussie consultant Richard Stuart assisting.

Built in the beginning of the 80s, the Arts Centre is one of the busiest centres of its kind in the world. It's kind of a humbling experience visiting the various venues and looking at the amount of work that goes into the space. An immense complex with different spaces catering to different types of events. I am strangely reminded of my own journey in this field and how much more that there is to go...