Hurrairah bin Sohail finds out how a passion for music on the part of the end user and a dedication
to craft from the integrator helped Jakarta International Expo raise the bar for performance and event venues in APAC.
Jakarta International Expo [Jiexpo], located in Indonesia, comprises a convention centre and theatre. The venue is geared to do it
all, from exhibitions to classical
music performances. AV systems
at Jiexpo have been deployed by
integrator Kairos Multi Jaya.
Leo Tanzil from Kairos Multi
Jaya knew that the scale of
the project would be the first
challenge the integrator would
have to surmount. He says: “From
the beginning, we knew that we
would have to split our efforts
and basically we had two teams
that were independent and
working simultaneously. One was
responsible for the theatre and the
other was handling the installation
for the convention centre.”
The convention centre features
a ballroom, junior ballroom
and meeting rooms. Damaran
Kristanto from Kairos Multi Jaya
says: “As the integrator we were
responsible for providing all the
AV systems. The key requirement
from the client was that all the
different spaces be interconnected. They wanted the
audio and video to be available
anywhere in the whole
convention centre.”
To deliver on these client
requirements, Kairos went down
the route of AV over IP. Dante
enabled Peavey Media Matrix
DSPs form the core of the audio
system. RCF ceiling speakers
and Community ceiling speakers
are used to provide audio.
Amplification is provided by
Powersoft amplifiers. Tanzil
says: “We required a fair bit of
amplification and we have used
a number of different Powersoft
amplifiers. We’ve used them
previously and never had any
issues with them. For the
Jiexpo, we deployed a range of
Quattrocanali and Ottocanali
models and they have been
performing superbly.”
Panasonics projectors mounted
on ceiling lifts and motorised
screens provide visuals. Tanzil
details: “We used projection for
the spaces because it is flexible
and versatile. It can be used for a
variety of functions and events.”
Video is transmitted over the IP
network with the help of Just Add
Power encoders and decoders.
BrightSign players handle
digital signage. Tanzil says:
“We have been burned in
the past by different signage
systems and not receiving the
required support from the
manufacturer when things go
wrong. We chose BrightSign
for Jiexpo because of their
demonstrated strong support
for integrators in the region.”
Control for the AV systems is
provided by a Crestron system.
Kristanto says: “We have
designed an intuitive GUI where
the end user can control the
entire system with the simple
press of a button.”
Moving on to the theatre, the
client requirements completely
shifted.
Prajna Murdaya from Central
Cipta Murdaya, the developer
for Jiexpo, says: “The idea for
the theatre was first initiated by
my parents because it would
be a nice complement to the
convention centre. But I saw it as
an opportunity to turn it into a
venue that has never been seen
before in Indonesia. I’ve been
to a lot of concerts in Asia and
I was always left with having to
imagine how good things could
sound if thought and care was
put into the whole operation of
a venue so that people could
just sit there and get lost in the
music. Why couldn’t we have a
world class performance venue
in Indonesia? Ultimately, that
was the drive behind the
theatre.”
He continues: “At the same
time, I wanted the theatre to be
a place where the Indonesian
community of artists could have
a stage that supported their work
and that could showcase it
without any compromises so
that there is no barrier between
them and the audience, so that
they don’t have to worry about
acoustics or the sound system or
the overall comfort of the venue.
Just a space where they can put
the full force of their work and
their expression to the audience.”
Murdaya’s love for music is
clearly evident from his days
singing acapella in college,
collecting classic recording
microphones to launching one
of Indonesia’s most successful
music incubators from his
bedroom. This love translated
into him directing the eventual
form and function of the theatre
at Jiexpo.
Murdaya knew that the
selection of sound system for
the theatre was crucial. He says:
“I was interested in making the
theatre a venue for classical
music and that became the
starting point for my campaign
for Meyer Sound Constellation.”
The stars aligned for Murdaya
as he details: “It turned out that
the owners of Meyer Sound, John
and Helen, were doing a 50th
Anniversary tour around the
world and they were in Singapore
where there is a deployment of
the Constellation system at the
Singapore American School.”
Murdaya flew down to
experience the Constellation
system in person and narrates:
“I remember how natural it
sounded and the flexibility it had
and how much it enhanced the
sonics. Seeing the Constellation
system in action showed me how
it could take the acoustics of a
space from dead to hair-raising
and after that I was definitely
sold.”
In the meantime, on the
integrator’s side, the theatre
project was progressing smoothly.
Aurellia Faustina from Kairos
Multi Jaya says: “We had actually
worked for the same client on a
project, which was a similar expo
space, and that was a really
successful project for us. In fact,
the Jiexpo project was a reunion
of sorts as we were working with
the same consultant as well. So,
there was a natural partnership
between all parties.”
The decision to go with
Meyer Sound however threw
a spanner in the works. Tanzil
details: “When we first started
discussions about the Jiexpo
project, it was a normal theatre
with a PA package and theatre
package encompassing intercom,
patching, lighting and the usual
systems. This was not meant to
be a theatre with a Meyer Sound
Constellation system at the start.”
Faustina provides further
details: “The redesign was
handled by the consultant with
input from Meyer Sound. Making
the decision to go with the Meyer
Sound Constellation meant that
there would have to be a lot of
readjustments and this is also
where the Jiexpo project started to
deviate from the other exhibition
halls that we have worked on.”
She continues: “For example,
there was a very lengthy
discussion regarding subwoofer
placement which was had with all
parties. Initially, they wanted the
subwoofer to be located in the
centre of the proscenium like the
prior expo space but that was not
possible due to the guidelines we
had to follow. Finally, we found a
unique location for the subwoofer
that satisfied all the parties
involved. It ended up behind
the main speaker.”
As the theatre project
progressed, the exacting
requirements of installing and
deploying a Constellation system
became evident to Kairos. Tanzil
details: “We had 238 speakers and
51 microphones that had to be
installed as part of the Meyer
Sound Constellation system.
First, every single speaker had
to have its own line, there is no
speaker being run in parallel.
Second, the Constellation system
requires perfection in terms of
deployment. The microphone
placements had to be exact.
The noise floor had to be exact.
Having never previously deployed
a Constellation system this was
a new experience for us. The
tolerances for every aspect of
deployment and installation
are very small and have to be
followed precisely.”
To compound matters, the
integrator was also under a
time crunch. Kristanto says:
“We didn’t have a lot of time to
complete the project. The theatre
was going to open in December
2019 with a concert by Yo-Yo Ma
so there was a concrete deadline
for all the works to be completed.
During the course of the project
there were a lot of delays and
there were a lot of parties
working. A lot of coordination
was required to ensure that the
Meyer Sound Constellation and
other AV systems were all up
and running in time.”
The solution to these
challenges was hard work.
Faustina says: “There were a lot
of challenges but that is part of
the integrator’s job. As always,
we had to coordinate with a lot
of other parties working on the
project, such as the interior
designer, to ensure that project
was completed.”
Clear-Com intercom systems
provide communications for the
theatre. Tanzil says: “This is the
first time we have deployed a
Clear-Com system. In the past
we have used multiple different
intercom products and the Helix
works very well. We decided to
move away from an analogue
intercom system for the theatre
at Jiexpo and I must say it made
life a lot easier.”
Back of the house audio is
handled by a Peavey Media
Matrix DSP. It is used for
announcements and artist calls
that help the theatre operate.
Solid State Logic L550 consoles
are used to manage front of
house. Murdaya details: “It is
definitely a choice that goes
against convention and popular
opinion, the recommendations
I got were to go with Digico or
Avid. But sonically, after testing
all the options, the SSL came out
on top. It is much easier to get a
good sounding mix using the
SSL. So, now my responsibility is
to make sure that the engineering
community is familiarised with
the equipment and can take
advantage of it.”
Regarding video systems
in the theatre, Tanzil says:
“The intended use of the
theatre, primarily for music
performances, orchestra and
opera, meant that installed video
systems were not required for
the stage or performance area.
However, we have installed
a display system around the
theatre for those who might be
coming to the venue late.”
Datavideo PTZ cameras are used
to capture proceedings. The video
feed is then distributed throughout
the building using Blackmagic
products via SDI. For the signage
system in the theatre, the SDI
signal is converted and distributed
over IP with the help of Just Add
Power encoders and decoders.
With the theatre open and
hosting performances, Murdaya
reflects on the fruits of his labour:
“When we brought Yo-Yo Ma
for the opening of the theatre,
his rider required two pairs of
microphones and a PA to amplify
his cello. But when they played
the cello in the theatre before the
performance to test the acoustics
with just the Meyer Sound
Constellation system his team
made the decision to proceed
with the performance completely
unamplified. That is a testament
to the Constellation system.”
Tanzil concludes: “When we
started the project, we did not
know what installing a Meyer
Sound Constellation meant.
We didn’t have a clue about the
details or the expectations or the
guidelines. It was a challenge for
us to get up to speed. But now
that we have completed the
Jiexpo project, I feel confident in
saying that we are one of the few
integrators in Asia Pacific that
can successfully deliver a system
as complex and intricate as the
Meyer Sound Constellation.”