Expert Sound System Design for West Boca High School's Musical Production of 'Once Upon a Mattress'

The recent production of "Once Upon a Mattress" by West Boca High School's Performing Arts Department highlighted the complexities and rewards of professional sound system design and installation. Our dedicated team navigated through significant challenges to deliver clear, dynamic audio for both cast and orchestra, enhancing the overall audience experience.

Premium Audio Solutions Tailored for Musical Theatre

For capturing the nuanced performances of the talented musicians, a specialized selection of microphones was employed:

• Audio-Technica AT897: Ensured clear sound for bass clarinet, trombone, French horn, clarinet, and oboe.
• Rode M5: Used effectively in a stereo pair arrangement for the trumpet section.
• Shure Beta 52A: Provided powerful, defined kick drum sound.
• Shure SM57 & Sennheiser e604: Brought out the richness of the xylophone and snare drum.
• Shure SM58: Enhanced clarity for the flutes.

While the mic setup effectively mitigated ambient noise, certain spatial constraints led to some instruments sounding slightly subdued. Still, the outcome demonstrated exceptional adaptability and performance given the conditions.

Wireless Excellence for Optimal Vocal Clarity

Vocals were crystal clear thanks to 31 advanced Sennheiser EW-D wireless receivers, expertly paired with Countryman E6 lavaliers for the lead actors and B6 Lavaliers for supporting roles. This professional pairing facilitated dynamic, uninterrupted performances.

Sophisticated Mixing for a Dynamic Performance

To manage the complexity of 64 audio channels across the cast and orchestra, we integrated two industry-leading mixers:

• Behringer Wing Mixer: Handled main cast vocals and front-of-house (FOH) sound.
• Behringer X32 Mixer: Dedicated exclusively to fine-tuning the orchestra’s performance.

A Left-Center-Right PA system complemented by powerful subwoofers delivered immersive sound. However, some limitations were noted, particularly with the center cluster, where vocal projection diminished towards the back rows, an area earmarked for future enhancement.

Navigating Challenges and Ensuring Excellence

Managing a live production with extensive audio requirements posed several hurdles. Damage to some lavaliers due to actor movements, level balancing for new performers, and intricate pre-show mixing sessions were part of the rigorous yet rewarding process.

Despite these challenges, the pit orchestra benefited from isolation in a separate room, allowing precise audio adjustments, greatly simplifying their mix.

Valuable Lessons and Continuous Improvement

This event underscored the importance of adaptability and meticulous planning in sound design. It served as a valuable learning experience, preparing our team to deliver even more polished audio solutions in future productions.

Through expert sound system design and skilled implementation, we successfully amplified the magic of live musical theatre for West Boca High School.