Gear at a Glance
Main Left & Right Arrays
8 x d&b audiotechnik J8 Loudspeakers
(per side)
3 x d&b audiotechnik J12 Loudspeakers
(per side)
6 x d&b audiotechnik V-SUBs (per side,
flown behind main arrays)
Deck Stacks
2 x d&b audiotechnik J12 Loudspeakers
(per side)
2 X d&b audiotechnik J-SUB Subwoofers
(per side)
Centre Cluster
8 x d&b audiotechnik J12 Loudspeakers
3 x d&b audiotechnik J8 Loudspeakers
Gallery Delay Cluster
6 x d&b audiotechnik Vi12 Loudspeakers
Lip Fills
8 x d&b audiotechnik Y7P Loudspeakers
Under Balcony
8 x d&b audiotechnik E6 Loudspeakers
Proscenium Fills
6 x d&b audiotechnik Yi7P Loudspeakers
Corner Fill Speakers
4 x d&b audiotechnik 10S-D
Loudspeakers
Balcony Side Speakers
4 x d&b audiotechnik Yi7P Loudspeakers
4 x d&b audiotechnik E8 Loudspeakers
Mix Position Fill
1 x d&b audiotechnik Yi7P Loudspeakers
Amplifiers
24 x d&b audiotechnik 30Ds
4 x d&b audiotechnik D80s
2 x d&b audiotechnik 10Ds
Front End Processing
3 x Meyer Sound Galileo 616AES
Loudspeaker Management Systems
Digital Signal Distribution
1 x Optocore X6R-FX-8AE/8LI (FOH
drive rack)
3 x Optocore X6R-FX-16AE (one per
amp rack)
1 x Optocore X6R-FX-8LI/8LO
Console
Soundcraft Vi1 Digital Mixing System
(with fibre package & remote 48 x
16 x 8)
put together a spec for the
system, and when funding
became available for the
project in late 2015, the job
was put out to tender.
Van Dijk has an
intimate knowledge of
venue, having designed
the aforementioned infill
system years earlier as an
employee of PA Plus (which
has since been absorbed by
Solotech and become the
Montreal-based sound and
lighting company’s Toronto
office).
Engineering Harmon-
ics is also the audiovisual
consultant on record for the
major upcoming revitaliza-
tion, “So there was a desire
for continuity there,” McK-
endrick notes, “since this
system will be the system
used in the new hall.”
The spec was heavily
based on research, includ-
Hangs of d&b J8 & J12 loudspeakers & V-SUBs
ing a look at rider require-
ments from visiting produc-
That would end up being the same
tions and input from a stable of touring
timeline for the integration of a full stage
audio engineers on their general needs
lighting system a year later, in early 2017;
and preferences.
however, the challenge was compounded
“I wanted to be able to send our
for the sound system by the fact that it
production list to anybody and have the
required some significant structural work
questions stop there,” McKendrick states.
inside the auditorium.
That meant meeting the highest reason-
“The lighting was more of a tour-style
able SPL demands while still providing
package and less invasive of an install,”
the fidelity for more sensitive acts – so
McKendrick says, noting the lights went
basically, ably covering everything from a
up on three pre-rigged trusses akin to a
whisper to a scream.
rental package. “The PA system, though,
The resulting spec was built around
involved a complete installation with con-
d&b audiotechnik’s J-Series loudspeakers,
duit and a rigging upgrade to support the
the German manufacturer’s large-scale rein-
capacity.”
forcement solution. In addition to the main
Previously, the venue didn’t have
house system, it included a full complement
the necessary weight capacity or hanging
of amplifiers and processing, a replacement
points to support a line array system that
of the existing house fills, a small but versa-
could properly cover the house, and so work
tile digital console, and the incorporation of
was done to reinforce some of the overhead
an Optocore fibre optic network.
beams to take on more weight and add new
Solotech Toronto was awarded the
rigging positions. Even that presented a few
contract in January 2016, and as McKen-
extra hurdles because of Massey Hall’s status
drick notes, “It was a really compressed
as a National Historic Site.
timeline,” with the system needing to be
But even without the structural
integrated and commissioned by the hard
work, the venue’s age and unique nature
deadline of March 31 st .
presented some inherent challenges.
Massey Hall
178 Victoria St.
Toronto, ON M5B 1T7
416-872-4255
www.masseyhall.com
PROFESSIONAL SOUND • 27