LTAPL Supplies K-Array Audio for Immersive Installations of Nature to Life at Changi Airport

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Changi Airport has recently unveiled two new multimedia installations, Digital Sky and Wonderfall, which feature soundscapes incorporating almost 100 local wildlife sounds, powered by a K-array system. Created by multimedia studio Moment Factory, in collaboration with design studio BOIFFILS Architectures, the attractions aim to recreate the wonders of the country’s natural environment. Systems integration was provided by Electronics & Engineering for Wonderfall and Electro-Acoustics Systems for Digital Sky.

Digital Sky is an overhead LED installation above the airport's Dreamscape Garden which features a natural soundscape that has been generated in Audiokinetic Wwise software using a weighted random algorithm. Located in the Terminal 2 Departure Hall, Wonderfall features a four-story digital waterfall, measuring 18m x 14m (WxH), that displays an array of waterfall imagery on a 34.4-megapixel LED wall, interspersed with animations set to a bespoke piano composition created by composer Jean-Michel Blais.

The audio solution for Wonderfall comprises 19 Vyper loudspeakers, supported by two Kobra line array elements and four mid-size Domino units. In addition, four Python loudspeakers have been implemented for long-throw and reproduction of the varying vocal range. These loudspeakers have been mounted on the surrounding living wall of foliage for minimal visual distraction. Furthermore, four Rumble subwoofers have been integrated below the wall for low-end frequencies, while a total of 16m of Anakonda loudspeaker units provide a wall of audio around the bottom of the LED wall. Driving the system is five Kommander KA84 amplifiers which provide integration with the QSC control system.

Powering audio at Dreamscape’s Digital Sky installation is 19 Vyper loudspeakers, reinforced by six Kobra and eight Domino loudspeakers. Audio playback across the Dreamscape and the Wonderfall is handled via Delta Media Server Infinity by 7th Sense. The speakers have been carefully positioned in the Dreamscape Garden to deliver a three-dimensional orchestral soundscape incorporating all 33 loudspeakers that plays every 30 minutes. The system also allows for the individual instruments to be mixed to different locations in the room to surround passengers with music.

“By installing the loudspeakers on the ceiling, balcony and hidden in the vertical garden structures, we could localise the sound of individual birds and wildlife in the space,” explained Joseph Browne, interactive sound designer at Moment Factory. “This effect was achieved by using the spatial audio tools in Wwise, as well as driven by the location of actors in Unreal Engine. For example, if an eagle flies overhead on the Digital Sky, this triggers a corresponding sound effect in the correct location in the garden's sound system.”

Source: Pro AVL Asia 

Images courtesy of Moment Factory