Developing and maintaining lasting personal and professional
relationships with clients is an ethic Talamas Broadcast Equipment has
always embraced, and one that definitely came into play during the design of
a cutting edge audio system for the Boston Ballet’s Grand Studio rehearsal
hall.
“Our relationship with the Ballet dates back many years,” says sales manager
and director of operations, Diane Talamas. “We’ve worked on a variety of
projects with them over time and recently provided them with a K-array
system distributed by Sennheiser and Soundcraft Vi1 console for their home
venue, The Boston Opera House.”
That project involved substantial challenges, adds company president, Dave
Talamas. “They came back to us because we came through, met those challenges
and provided a system that sounds great.”
Based on their previous use of the K-array and Soundcraft gear, the Ballet
and A/V Coordinator Rick Brenner had a good idea of what they needed for the
Grand Studio after first approaching Talamas in March 2012. “They wanted to
stick with brands that exceeded their expectations,” explains Diane, “but
when they come to us,” it’s not just about the equipment, it’s because our
goal is to make them happy and we take pride in doing so.”
That was a key factor in the Ballet’s decision to ask Talamas to specify and
design an audio system for the Grand Studio that spoke to the highly
flexible nature of the space. “While primarily it’s a rehearsal space,” says
Talamas Product specialist Nick Jabour, “it’s used for everything from
rehearsals to second stage performances with a small orchestra.” In
addition, the Grand Studio functions as a performance/workshop space for
students of the Boston Ballet School and a venue for various demonstrations
and lectures. Correspondingly, it was necessary Brenner be able to convert
the space from one application to another quickly and easily.
In April 2012, even before they’d been contracted for the job,
representatives from Talamas visited the Grand Studio and recommended
locations for hanging the K-array loudspeakers. After taking on the project
officially, Talamas continued to work closely with Brenner and arranged a
Soundcraft representative to bring Soundcraft’s Si Compact 24 console to the
venue, so Brenner could go through it ‘with a fine-toothed comb’ and ensure
it met his needs before the Ballet purchased it.
In addition to the console, Talamas provided eight, K-array KH15’s and one
KS4 Sub. Rather than hang the K-Array components in a line array
configuration, Brenner hoped to affix the KH15s to the ceiling – one per
corner, two in the centre of the ceiling and two flown to the left and right
of the KS4 as FOH mains – to provide maximum coverage for both rehearsal and
performance applications.
Initially, however, he was concerned powered speakers might exceed the
weight restrictions specified by a structural engineer on the project. “But
in reality,” Brenner says, “the KH 15s are actually lighter than the passive
speakers I’d considered.”
The Grand Studio’s performance space boasts a set of automated, retractable
risers that seat 147 people and a second upper, glassed-in, 49-person
capacity area. To streamline the installation process for Brenner, Talamas
custom built a twelve-space rack to hold the venue’s Telex BTR System,
Sennheiser Evolution 100 wireless systems and a Tascam hard disk recorder/CD
player. “It was all pre-labeled and programmed,” Diane says. “All Rick had
to do was turn it on and it worked.”
“That was a last minute thing I threw at Diane and she was awesome. They
wanted it to be perfect and it was,” Brenner puts in. “The system is
designed so all of the equipment, including the Soundcraft Si console, can
live on the risers and track back and forth with them, so I can repurpose
from a rehearsal to show configuration within half an hour.”
Providing that level of care and attention is key to enhancing the kind of
personal relationships everyone at Talamas believes are integral to doing
not just good business, but great work. “We’re not here just to offer up
quick references for technical data. We’re here as a partner,” Nick says,
“and that type of relationship results in a better system for the client,
and a client with a better understanding of their own system because they
had those personal interactions.”
Let Talamas put our expertise to work for you.
