Have you ever wondered what technology goes into bringing each Cirque du Soleil show to life musically? In September 1996, Theater Crafts International (TCI) magazine took a peek into Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam – then, the newest touring show – and reviewed the music technology (specificially the speakers) the production was using. While this information is older and may now be out-of-date, it does provide a unique opportunity to understand what kind of technology goes into bringing Cirque productions to life musically:
- System One: The Left and Right PAs used for music – four (4) Meyer Sound MSL-4s, two (2) Meyer Sound 650-Ps self powered sub-woofers, and one (1) Meyer Sound UPM-2 per side (used for stage coverage).
- System Two: Hung from the cupola and used primarily for vocals – seven (7) Meyer Sound MSL-4s, one for each seating zone.
- System Three: Hung from the tent masts and used for delay and upper seating areas – eight (8) Meyer Sound UPL-1s and two (2) Meyer Sound UPL-2s.
- System Four and Five: Used for sub-bass special effects – six (6) Renkus-Heinz surround speakers and four (4) Electro-Voice DML-2812s, which were already part of Cirque’s arsenal.
- Level Control Systems Cue Control software for surround and triggering.
- Garwood monitor systems for acoustics and reverb.
- Countryman Isomax headsets
- SPL Meter
- SIM (“Source Independent Measurementâ€) System II to measure, analyze and adjust the acoustics.
- Front of house mixing console: Ramsa Panasonic
- Sub-Mix Console: Yamaha
- Automation System Software: Level Control Systems
- MIDI Controllers: Peavey; Lexicon
- Line Amplifiers: JL Cooper
- Playback/record equipment: Panasonic; Sony, Teac
- Signal processing: Lexicon; Yamaha, Aphex; BSS; DBX; Sumetric; Klark Teknik; Meyer; Rane; Audio Control.
- Speaker processors: Meyer; Electro-Voice
- Amplifiers: Crown
- Speakers: Meyer; Renkus-Heinz; Electro-Voice
- Monitor Equipment: Mackie; White; Garwood; Peavey; Stewart; Sony
- Microphones and accessories: Shure; Sennheiser; Rapco; Whirlwind; Countryman; AKG; Atlas; Vega
- Power distribution equipment: Square D; Socapex; L5-20; Best Power
- Communications equipment: Clear-Com; Beyer; Vega; HME
- Video Equipment: Sony; Panasonic; Ikegami; Cosmicar
- Paging equipment: Galaxy; Crown
Want to learn more? Check out the links below to obtain specific information on the speaker systems and equipment listed in this article:
- Meyer Sound MSL-4
- Meyer Sound 650-P Sub-Woofer
- Meyer Sound SIM II
- Meyer Sound UPM-2
- Meyer Sound UPL-1
- Meyer Sound UPL-2
{ Source: Meyer Sound / Theater Craft International }