Mix, Convert, Secure.
Like every major event, Herzberg has a detailed security plan for its more than 10,000 attendees, which includes, among other things, the evacuation of (partial) areas via emergency announcements. This plan was put to use last year due to severe weather conditions.
For the 2024 edition of the festival, the organizers relied for the first time on NEXUS compact by STAGETEC. The multifunctional audio interface was used for the following tasks:
- Evacuation scenarios: local and central announcements
- Mixing of moderation, independent of the festival’s main mixing consoles
- Merging guest mixing consoles into the PA system
Infrastructure:
The network infrastructure connected not only the regular office network (production, command center, authorities, press, entrances/ticket booths) but also the various stages with each other. Within this network, a Dante network was established, which included a NEXUS compact for each event stage, as well as the Dante output of the local wireless microphones. Moderation and summing operations were easily and comfortably controlled via a web browser, while the organizer's command center controlled the NEXUS compact via Ember+ (for central emergency announcements).
Moderation:
Wireless microphones were available on all stages for moderation purposes. These were connected to both the artist mixing console system splitters and the NEXUS compact via Dante, ensuring maximum microphone flexibility. The moderation mix was handled entirely by the NEXUS compact and its built-in processing channels. When multiple moderation microphones were used, the NEXUS compact’s automixer handled the mixing. This allowed the sound engineers to focus entirely on preparing the next artist, without having to manage the moderation, which was a significant advantage since the moderation functioned independently of the currently loaded show files on the console.
Emergency Announcements:
A central speaking station in the organizer's command center allowed direct input to the PA systems. A Stream Deck (Companion) enabled the selection of individual or all stages. With the press of a button, the program on the PA systems could be interrupted for central emergency announcements. Additionally, an emergency microphone was available on each stage. Priority control via button press was handled on the stages through the local GPIO of NEXUS compact.
Mixing Console Summation:
NEXUS compact was also used to route all mixing consoles (local and guest systems) to the controllers of the speaker systems. When guest mixing consoles were connected via analog, the TrueMatch converters, with their dynamic range of 158 dB, were fully utilized. All consoles were connected either analog or via AES3. At the same time, NEXUS compact provided a backup front-of-house feed for the OB truck.
Conclusion:
NEXUS compact lived up to its nickname as the "Swiss Army Knife" of interfaces, delivering outstanding audio quality. Multiple requirements, which would normally need dedicated solutions, were implemented with a single device. This solution established a new standard for the event, one that will continue to be used in the future.