UK presentation, entertainment and experience technology company OutBoard is targeting the sports venues market with the launch of TiMax Crowdscape.
OutBoard, which has previously focused on the entertainment sector, is seeking to adapt its TiMax systems for use in sports stadia and arenas that are currently lacking fan atmosphere due to games played behind closed doors, or with limited attendances amid COVID-19.
The company pioneered ‘source-oriented reinforcement’ during the 1990s and evolved its TiMax systems to the point they are now widely used to provide authentically spatialised vocal and orchestral reinforcement on New York’s Broadway, London’s West End, and other venues across the world.
The spatial audio and immersive audio-platform combines integral sound effects, playback and showcontrol to provide a show-in-a-box solution for sound designers and AV systems integrators.
TiMax Crowdscape is designed to provide a live and interactive sonic cocoon of sound that immerses the players in realistic and responsive spectator reactions to the game. The Crowdscape system utilises a multichannel bowl sound system mounted in the seating areas and pointing in towards the playing area.
One or more operators use iPads to trigger and variably spatialise selected crowd atmosphere loops as well as cheering, applause and booing spot effects, plus other tailored content relevant to the game and teams. Samples are spatially mixed to anywhere in the arena or stadium using individual iPad 3D panners, faders and triggers, and can be merged selectively into the existing house system.
As well as locally triggered and mixed immersive crowd content, Crowdscape operators can also spatially mix external crowd FX stems from broadcasters or viewer response systems and place them in the appropriate segments of the arena or stadium. Downmixed stereo, 5.1 and mono crowd content feeds can also be simultaneously generated live in Crowdscape and returned to the truck for broadcast or streaming.
OutBoard said TiMax Crowdscape is currently being trialled in Canada in an NHL ice hockey arena format, using a 10.4 multichannel bowl system with also includes spatially distributed sub bass. Fully-scaleable Crowdscape is also offered, in conjunction with regional PA rental houses, in larger 12.6 configurations and beyond for football and baseball stadia.
Image: OutBoard
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