Challenge

Clarity and coverage were the important themes for the selected PA at Microsoft Build, and the conference room itself demonstrated rigging challenges, such as low ceilings, a crowded fly space, and reflective surfaces. The PA would have to manage these venue characteristics while ensuring every one of the thousands of spectators gathered, from the seats directly in front of the stage center, to the back corners, would clearly hear each spoken word.

Solution

ATK Audiotek, a Clair Global brand, deployed a system that featured the CO10 in four hangs of eight for the main hangs and an additional eight hangs of eight, in two rows of four, as a delay system that operated more like distributed audio. Six cardioid-configured CP218 II+ provided low end and even consistency for inside to outside seating. A center cluster of four CO8 provided excellent imaging for the mix without sending any energy to the front few rows, which were covered in part by the series of CP6+ across the front (as well as on the sides of the stage). In addition to its easy, quick rigging, Cohesion provided its industry-leading size-to-power ratio and exceptional horizontal coverage.

Result

The full-range CO10 provided speech intelligibility, wide coverage, and impact—the low end in particular allowed for a minimal number of subwoofers to be flown while the back rows still felt the rumbling during high-production promotional videos shown. The versatile PA was quick and simple to fly, with all infrastructure and cabling completed in a handful of hours. That ease of installation, along with the full, even coverage and crystal-clear fidelity that Cohesion provided, created a seamless experience for Microsoft officials and the large audience in attendance over three exciting days.

‍