The Uitmarkt (“Outmarket”) in the centre of Amsterdam marks since 1977 the beginning of the new cultural season. This year’s edition took place last weekend of August at different locations in Amsterdam and attracted an estimated 500.000 visitors.
Focus Advanced Event Technology from Amsterdam was responsible for audio, video- en lighting of 17 different locations with this annual event. The three largest stages featured Alcons pro-ribbon sound systems.
At the Nieuwmarkt, the Province Noord-Holland stage hosted performances of Trijntje Oosterhuis and Acda en de Munnik a.o. The Alcons system at this stage consisted of eighteen LR16 compact line-array modules and six LR16B high-efficiency line-arrays bass systems. These systems were amplified and controlled by Alcons ALC4 controller-amplifiers with DDP (Digital Drive Processor). Close to the Muziektheater was the Grolsch stage where on Saturday and Sunday a variety of world music, jazz and cabaret was presented. System of this stage was in total 24 pcs. Alcons LR14 ultra-compact line-array systems and twelve BF302 double-15in. subwoofers.
Much attention was there for the main stage on the Dam, in front of the Royal Palace, where artists like Matt Bianco, Wende Snijders, Ruth Jacott and Alain Clark performed. The concert of Alain was live broadcasted on national television and also the AVRO Musical Sing-a-Long program on Sunday night was live televised.
For this stage, system tech Gijs Schouten of Focus Advanced Event Technology configured a different sound system, in cooperation with Alcons Audio.
As this stage hosted the Residence Orchestra and the Metropole Orchestra (60 members!) during the three days, Alcons was asked to configure a system with maximum gain-before-feedback; Not an easy task with such a large number of open mics on stage and the required SPL in the audience.
The final system for the main stage consisted of 18 Alcons LR16 line-array systems per side, with left and right flanked by a special 12” mid-bass array; This was to ensure a controlled projection, with minimal spill on stage. For sub response, per side 9 pcs. Alcons BF362 were positioned in a “3×3 end-fire” cardioid configuration. As front-fill a further 6 pcs. LR16 per side were used.
This approach is part of a new test program of Alcons. According to system tech Gijs Schouten the system passed the test with enthusiastic reactions from visiting engineers. Gijs: “I was surprised how easily the system could be adjusted to all different styles of performances: The gain-before-feedback was very impressive, with so many open (orchestra) mics on stage”. The results will be input for coming Alcons product developments.
