How to resolve AdBlock issue? ITEC delivers Immersive Experiences with Sennheiser and Neumann
Pictures: d&b Group
In London’s world-renowned Science Museum, the Immersive Technology Experience Centre (ITEC) has emerged as a state-of-the-art venue created by d&b group, an expert in event technology. The new multi-room hub supports d&b’s future vision of immersive experiences and delivers complete sensory engagement through the use of spatial audio, virtual production (VP), virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) technologies. The selection of Sennheiser and Neumann products underscores ITEC’s commitment to a top-tier audio infrastructure.
Sennheiser’s powerful Digital 6000 system is used within the main “Immersive Sound & Vision Lab”, which houses an XR studio that utilises d&b’s SmartStage solution. “SmartStage is a Virtual Reality broadcast technology stack for creating immersive broadcast content,” explains George Veys, Head of Audio at d&b solutions [the service-focused business entity of the d&b group]. “The D6000 system handles all the presenter microphones and delivers flawless, high-quality, low-latency audio to the standard that we’ve grown to love with Sennheiser.”
evolution wireless G4 IEM systems work alongside Digital 6000 to carry interruptible foldback audio to the presenters, enabling talkback and audio from remote guests who can be ‘teleported’ onto the SmartStage canvas. “Choosing high-quality, reliable equipment that is suitable for both broadcast applications and R&D purposes was vital for ITEC. Our large rental stock of Sennheiser solutions proves this to us daily and reflects the excellence found throughout the entire Sennheiser Group product lineup,” continues Veys.
The broadcast audio control room is responsible for ensuring first-class audio is delivered for streaming, or wherever the live event is being sent to. Famed for their superb impulse response and resolution, Veys notes that “Neumann KH 120 monitors are the gold standard for us. It was an easy decision to use them here, and our team have loved mixing on them!”
He further emphasises the significant role Sennheiser have played for them during this collaborative effort. “Our customers’ work ranges from live sports broadcasts and university lectures to high-level corporate presentations,” Veys says. “The combination of Sennheiser’s market-leading reliability and product flexibility helps us effectively address all these markets, making it the obvious choice as one of our key audio partners for the ITEC facility.”
The ongoing relationship d&b enjoys with Sennheiser means regular support and training is offered by the Sennheiser team. “Only a few weeks ago, some of our engineers went to the new Sennheiser offices in Marlow,” shares Veys. “While Sennheiser Group products are all incredibly intuitive to use, building relationships between us and manufacturers, both in terms of specifying solutions and being up to date on their latest technology, is critical for continued success with the products. The talented Sennheiser team are always at the end of the phone when we need them. I believe this works both ways and this 360-degree feedback is why they remain at the top of their game.”
Since ITEC’s official opening in April, there has been a lot of positive feedback surrounding the multitude of benefits the facility will bring to stakeholders involved in d&b’s projects globally. It provides a place for them to test ideas with new technology and explore the possibilities available for immersive experiences through sound, video, lighting, and multi-media technologies. ITEC will also act as a research & development facility, working with manufacturers to integrate new technologies, try out ideas, and to engage in a range of education initiatives.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with d&b on this fantastic, multi-faceted space that encompasses all the latest technologies,” concludes Kevin Gwyther-Brown, Sennheiser’s Business Development Manager. “We believe that ITEC will serve as an ideal platform for d&b stakeholders and the broader community to explore the full creative potential of immersive environments, with our high-quality Sennheiser and Neumann solutions playing a vital role in enabling them.”