Clear-Com and Q-SYS integrate intercom and audio in the Harpa multipurpose installation

Home of the Icelandic Opera and Symphony Orchestra, Harp is an innovative installation that has integrated the intercommunication of Clear-Com and the audio of Q-SYS to improve functionality, location and security in all its spaces.

Harp It is a multipurpose facility., headquarters of the Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera, as well as the Reykjavík Big Band, city ​​in which it is located, which is a reference both for its unique and award-winning architecture and for its function as concert hall and conference center since its inauguration, in 2011.

The facility has advanced communications technology Clear-Com, that use bands and soloists, dance groups and theater companies that perform in its four main spaces, con capacity for between 200 y 1.800 personas, and in other smaller multipurpose rooms.

Initially, This performing arts complex had the systems Clear-Com Encore Analog Partyline (PL) y Eclipse HX Matrix, which has since been expanded with keyboards V-Series Iris; wireless intercom FreeSpeak II; capabilities E-IPA and the mobile application Agent-IC.

The recent integration between Clear-Com intercom and amplification platform Q-SYS of LLC has provided a substantially higher level of functionality and compatibility between location systems, intercom and audio of the venue.

After changing your infrastructure to interfaces Dante to deal with virtual and broadcast events, The objective of those responsible for Harpa with this project has been to reinforce the integration between public address and intercom systems to allow access, Immediate selection and playback of pre-recorded announcements, music and other resources (including safety messages), in each of the approximately 33-36 installation public address areas.

The project consisted of replacing Harpa's location system and reusing part of the existing infrastructure, including original Clear-Com Eclipse and Encore systems. Updated to FreeSpeak II and added E-IPA cards for remote connectivity with broadcasters, Additional Agent-IC licenses for future use by front office staff, and E-Dante cards for the interface between the intercom matrix of this manufacturer and the new Q-SYS distribution system.

The result is “an enormous degree of flexibility and programming -states Andri Guðmundsson, technical director of events and technical management at Harpa- to route almost anything, to any place, without having to make any physical interconnection. Although the integration is quite complicated, the end user gets a simple interface”.

Harpa is still working on the full implementation of Agent-IC for use by its ushers and venue staff.. “They don't want to use bulky radios,” he adds.- but an application. Besides, “The possibility of using mobile phones and Wi-Fi eliminates the need for additional infrastructure and components.”.

One of the differentials of this project has been the development and implementation of a plugin tailored by Atendi ehf, local distributor and integrator of Clear-Com in this project, which allows Eclipse to route audio in Q-SYS, Activate pre-recorded messages and provide information on public address status via an Iris panel or a beltpack FreeSpeak.

This integration offers the venue a granular control of individual or combined warning zones (including shared backstage areas); streamlines and provides new workflow options and increases communication between staff and, if required, the public itself.

The source of plugin created by Atendi ehf provides a “starting point for others using the Eclipse/Q-SYS HCI interconnect; crucial versatility and scalability, given the pace of technological advances and innovation, the growing expectations of the public and the changing needs of the artists and the events being held”, affirms Andri Guðmundsson.