Meyer Sound News : Meyer Technology Selected for Historical Hong Kong Handover Events

Meyer Technology Selected for Historical Hong Kong Handover Events

Checking UPA-1C

On June 30, 1997, the whole world watched and listened as Hong Kong was handed back to the People's Republic of China after 155 years under British colonial rule. Brimming with momentous ceremonies, celebratory concerts and a flurry of soon-to-be-historical speeches, the Hong Kong Handover events left no room for error in the sound system. After all, there was only one chance to record this landmark affair.

That's why Meyer Sound's patented technology was selected for all major events on this memorable occasion. With Meyer's unrivaled reputation for reliability, consistency, and superior sound quality, nothing is left to chance.

At the heart of the action in Hong Kong, Meyer products were designed and operated under the seasoned direction of John Scandrett, Founder and Managing Director of System Sound of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. "The challenge is in distributing quality sound to an audience in grandstands around an 85 meter square parade ground without imposing on sight lines or camera angles for the TV broadcast," explained Scandrett.

Scandrett continues: "The high Q CQ-2 Self-Powered speakers solved the problems of the extensive 20 tap delayed signal distribution with quality sound for the audience and minimized spill-back for broadcast sound distribution. This approach also minimizes potential echoes from city buildings behind the audience, and a midi controlled delay control system allows time alignment to four different performance source locations. Monitoring the HD-1 speakers gives us the confidence of faithful distribution for broadcast."

As a recognized leader in sound design throughout the Pacific Rim region, John installed Meyer sound equipment for all principal Hong Kong events, including the VIP-only Official Handover Ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center; the invite-only Farewell Ceremony and Concert at the Tamar Site on the Harbour; and the Popular Concert at the Tamar site on the Harbour featuring Canto Pop Stars for an audience of 10,000.

For the Farewell Ceremony and Concert at the Tamar site - at which Prince Charles and Governor Patten will be speaking - a system of Meyer loudspeakers, monitors and components were selected to reach the 10,000 honored guests. The main system was predominately comprised of Meyer's best-selling Self-Powered Series loudspeakers, including 20 MSL-4 Loudspeakers distributed on custom-made low profile support systems at the base of the stands, along with 8 PSW-4 subwoofers.

There were also 4 CQ-1 and CQ-2 Self-Powered Loudspeakers flown from the stage roofs to center the sound image on the stage for those in the nearer seats. The foldback system included 6 UM-1C UltraMonitors and 2 UPA-1C UltraSeries Loudspeakers that provide local fill to the VIP stand. Additionally, the main system drive utilized 2 VX-1 virtual crossovers and an LD-1A Line Driver.

The event featured the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra with singers Dame Gwyneth Jones and Warren Mok. The orchestral and broadcast mixes will be monitored on Meyer's award-winning HD-1 High-definition near-field monitors for feed to the BBC for world broadcast.

For the Official Handover Ceremony, later the same night at the Convention and Exhibition Center, the system based around 2 clusters of 3 MSL-3A Concert Series Loudspeakers. 10 UPA-1C UltraSeries Loudspeakers provide downfill, delay fill and stage fill for the official parties.

June, 1997