Orbital Sound Ltd

Orbital Event Communications helps launch Liverpool City of Culture

Orbital are called in for their experience in major integrated site communications.

The Artist key panels were supplemented by a suite of Telex BTR800 fully duplex radio-comms units mainly worn by stage management. These allowed direct, free-ranging communication as they liaised with the operators of cranes flying full size containers symbolising the cities heritage as a historic international port above the 50,000 strong crowd.

The Orbital team were also tasked with ensuring the MC received all stage management and broadcast instructions whilst standing atop the 200ft Saint Georges Column.

Making its UK debut were 50 Riedel C2 Digital Party Line twin channel wired belt packs. These were distributed around the various departments and along the rooftops allowing precise queuing of the lofty guitarist.

The DPL-C2 system is absolutely unique as it operates entirely in the digital domain, interfacing seamlessly with the Matrix, and ensuring that everyone hears crystal clear communication whatever the distance or hostile environment.

Orbital also supplied 100 Motorola walkie talkies, again fully integrated with the Riedel Matrix system  ensuring that all elements of site communication were fully integrated together for seamless crystal clear communication.

Communications are often underestimated in their complexity and importance for todays large public events. It's not just delivering the show, it's ensuring the public are kept absolutely safe at all times, even in the event of an emergency.

At the heart of the comms system, designed by Orbitals Head Of Communications Tim Sherratt, were 3 Riedel Communications Artist Digital Matrix Units. These were located at the FOH control position, at the side of the Saint Georges Hall stage and television production suite areas. They were inter-connected by 1km of fibre optic cable, again supplied by Orbital, and configured in a redundant loop so the system would be secure even if a cable was damaged during the event.

To guard against the potential of power failure all elements of the communication system were backed up by uninterruptible power supplies. This ensured that even if all event power failed there would still be full communication allowing for proper safety procedures to be followed.

Show Caller Laura Edwards operated a suite of Riedel Artist key panels more often found in complex television installations, directly connected to the matrix. Each of the 64 keys gave her direct access to all elements of the production team, on a one-to-one or one-to-group basis, and also direct confidential communication to all Broadcast, Security and Police forces.

Further key panels were located in the production suite allowing proper communication with both the Visions Outside Broadcast trucks that televised the event, and PSL who provided camera and projection services.

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The Artist key panels were supplemented by a suite of Telex BTR800 fully duplex radio-comms units mainly worn by stage management. These allowed direct, free-ranging communication as they liaised with the operators of cranes flying full size containers symbolising the cities heritage as a historic international port above the 50,000 strong crowd.

The Orbital team were also tasked with ensuring the MC received all stage management and broadcast instructions whilst standing atop the 200ft Saint Georges Column.

Making its UK debut were 50 Riedel C2 Digital Party Line twin channel wired belt packs. These were distributed around the various departments and along the rooftops allowing precise queuing of the lofty guitarist.

The DPL-C2 system is absolutely unique as it operates entirely in the digital domain, interfacing seamlessly with the Matrix, and ensuring that everyone hears crystal clear communication whatever the distance or hostile environment.

Orbital also supplied 100 Motorola walkie talkies, again fully integrated with the Riedel Matrix system  ensuring that all elements of site communication were fully integrated together for seamless crystal clear communication.