Genelec spatial audio elevates the sensory experience of the German Football Museum

The immersive exhibition that fuses art and football comes to life with Genelec. They have been installed discreetly 25 4430A Smart IP speakers under the two large side projection walls.

The exhibition On the move – Art and Football (In Motion – Art & Football) of the German Football Museum Dortmund celebrates sport through art, featuring works by iconic 20th century artists from around the world. With high power projectors, Led screens and an advanced audio system with 25 network speakers Genelec Smart IP, The exhibition offers a immersive experience for the visitor.

twenty three UHD projectors Epson animate dynamic surfaces, complemented with cinema, photography and sound. Visitors move through three different areas, finding elements such as a 'Painter's Palette' floor projection from 22 meters and a projected sketchbook of 5.1×4,2 metros. The German integration company Sigma System Audio-Visual has been responsible for the complex design and audiovisual installation.

“We have been working with the German football museum for more than ten years”, explains Christian Backes, Sigma AV Integration Director. “We provide the original audiovisual and multimedia systems. This is a long term exposure, but the most important thing is that it is designed so that, when choosing a new topic, only need to change the content; the main technology remains”.

And multi-layer audio system was essential to support the large space and numerous exhibits. LEM Studios y PBX Studios, based in Berlin, They have been in charge of the sound design and content production.

Markus Hossi Hossack, by LEM Studios, has been the main sound designer, mixing the audio both in the studio and on the premises. Starting from a stereo soundtrack, worked to adapt it to a rich and enveloping soundscape. “The idea was for the entire venue to vibrate”.

A powerful in-ceiling system provided full-range audio throughout the venue, but for immersive playback, it should be more intimate.

“To achieve immersive details, “The sound had to be close and personal for visitors.”, explica Hossack. «To achieve, have been installed discreetly 25 speakers Genelec 4430A Smart IP under the two large lateral projection walls, each 17.5×26,5 metros. Los 4430 played individual audio elements, creating a spatial mix where each speaker offered different content depending on the position of the visitors.

At one point in the show, classical waltz music filled the room through the ceiling system, while the Genelec teams played isolated instrumental parts. Subtle sound effects were also found., like steps, pencil sketches and raindrops, to match the images. “We wanted to create a walkable cinema”, explica Hossack. “We wanted to contain the sound in different audio zones, offering each visitor a unique listening experience”.

“In the studio we mix Dolby Atmos and we were able to prepare everything in 7.1.4”, continue. “Sin embargo, in the enclosure, this had to be expanded to incorporate the 50 speakers. Manage sync, routing and synchronization was a real challenge, and we only had four days to organize everything”, admit. “It was a fair job!”

The software Smart IP Manager de Genelec It turned out to be invaluable.. “Given the short term, It was essential to work quickly, and Smart IP Manager allowed me to manage any filter I wanted, in addition to adding latency to each speaker”, Hossack clarifies. “We took the middle of the show as a reference point and, from there, we work to maintain the immersive effect, adjusting latency on the fly”.

The Smart IP system's network connectivity was crucial, since the audio, Power and management were via a single CAT cable. Hossack and LEM Studios had previously worked on a Marvel exhibition with 70 altavoces Genelec Smart IP. “We significantly increased the audio budget for that project”, dice Hossack. But the scalability, The sound quality and quick installation justify the expense.

“We are delighted with the Genelec equipment in our own studio”, Hossack continues.. “The audio information is accurate and the translation from one space to another works perfectly. We have a Smart IP configuration in the studio, as well as with Genelec studio speakers, and once in place we didn't have to retune anything; “Everything sounded exactly the same as in the studio.”.

Despite the tight deadline and technical complexity, Genelec Smart IP speakers were crucial in creating an immersive and memorable audio journey through art and football. With plans underway for a world tour of the exhibition, the Smart IP system is considered essential to make this possible. “The system can be installed and dismantled in much less time than traditional systems”, Hossack concludes.. “It is the most versatile speaker I know on the market”.