WAVEFRONT PRECISION JOINS THE PARTY AT PORTUGAL’S GOLDEN GLOBES
Since the inauguration of Portugal’s Golden Globes awards ceremony back in 1996, production company Auditiv Audiovisuais has supported the event with advanced sound reinforcement and broadcast.
The company recently returned to the 4,300-capacity Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon with a Martin Audio WPC line array, providing the auditorium sound for the first time at the 2024 edition.
According to Auditiv directors Daniel Bekerman and João Escada, who also served as the event’s technical directors, the decision to deploy this advanced scalable PA was largely driven by a desire for innovation. They recognised that this solution would adapt to the space, be visually unobtrusive, provide improved coverage and adhere to the venue’s significant weight limitations.
“The WPC met this demanding challenge in every way possible.”
Two hangs of 12 WPC speakers were deployed—powered by Martin Audio iKON amplifiers, in 2-box resolution. Low-frequency extension was provided by SX218B, with Blackline X12 handling near-fill and outfill coverage, as well as stage sidefills. LE1200 wedge monitors completed the setup in a 100% Martin Audio deployment.
To ensure fully optimised sound, Auditiv utilised Martin Audio’s DISPLAY2 predictive software, VU-Net for control and SMAART for integrating the front fills, outfills and subs with the main system. System tech Isaac Bugalho was tasked with bringing the best out of the WPC. He was joined at FOH by Tiago Mendes, while Guilherme Vales managed the monitors.
Auditiv also handled the broadcast mix, sending splits via an Optocore/DiGiCo fibre loop.
The event was hosted by Clara de Sousa, one of Portugal's leading journalists and TV presenters, with each award presented by different guests. The event production company was SIC – Sociedade Independente de Televisão. The evening’s content comprised a mix of various award presentations and live music, including a resident classical orchestra.
Summing up the event, Daniel Bekerman said he was “100% happy” with the Martin Audio performance. “Although we were very satisfied with the system used in previous years, the use of WPC brought improvements, mainly in terms of coverage uniformity.
“With two balconies and a VIP audience, including TV station representatives, the venue is very challenging, and the audience very demanding. With WPC, we were able to use more speakers, achieve better vertical dispersion, and maintain a wider 100° horizontal dispersion. All this was accomplished with less flown weight (the venue has tight limits), a reduced footprint (always important on a TV show), and a simpler, faster rigging setup, making coordination with video, scenery and lighting crews easier.
“The WPC met this demanding challenge in every way possible.”