Opened in 2017 at a cost of €18m, Amsterdam’s This is Holland was the first panoramic flight simulator in the Benelux countries. However, it quickly became obvious that the original audio system was not delivering the dynamic sound demanded by the ‘5D’ experience. In response, a replacement Alcons Audio pro-ribbon system has been installed by Leisure Expert Group, transforming the simulated low-level flight over many of the Netherlands’ best-known landmarks.
The ride’s 24m-high cylindrical pavilion is based on the shape of an oil drum, reflecting its location at the former Shell Oil company site in Overhoeksplein. The experience combines imagery taken from a very low-flying helicopter, filmed with permission from the Dutch authorities, taking visitors on a nine-minute virtual flight over Dutch landscapes, cities and heritage, including the bulb-growing region, Schiphol airport, the Dutch coast, the canals of Amsterdam, Rotterdam port, castles, other historic buildings, natural features and more. It features a unique soundtrack, along with moving audience seating and physical effects like smells and water sprays.
The Leisure Expert Group worked with Brogent Technologies and technical installer Pro-Vision AV, whose Martijn van Weert explains: ‘The aim was to deliver the best experience, giving visitors a real “wow” factor, and making sure they enjoy the dynamic soundtrack, which features special effects and orchestral music that range from very quiet to very loud. And, of course, the audio system had to be concealed invisibly behind the aluminium dome construction.’
‘The challenge was the relatively small space in which the speakers had to be mounted and that they had to hang behind an aluminium perforated screen,’ elaborates Kevin Mohr, Senior Technical Designer at Leisure Expert Group, who led the project. ‘This screen blocks a lot of sound, especially in the high frequencies, so we needed a transducer that could compensate for the screen and still reproduce those frequencies at their required dynamic levels, without distortion.’
With the originally-chosen system lacking the impact necessary to fully complement the rest of the experience, This is Holland was recently refitted with an Alcons Audio pro-ribbon system, comprising 11 CRS12 large format 12-inch reference surround and 14 CR1 ultra-compact 12-inch screen systems, suspended behind the perforated screen in a surround configuration with three layers of front speakers in high, mid and low positions. Four Alcons double 18-inch CB362 subwoofers help visitors really feel the experience, with the system powered and controlled by eight Sentinel3 and one Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controllers.
With the new system, the soundtrack was re-worked by its original creator Dennis Slot, remixing and adding further effects. The musical score was written by composer René Merkelbach.
‘The Alcons pro-ribbon driver delivers the necessary power and clarity for the high frequencies, plus the system has great full-range sound reproduction, all in compact housings. In addition, the Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controllers compensate for the long speaker cables and deliver seamless control and communication with the speakers and pro-ribbon drivers,’ van Weert reports.
‘René really summed up the benefits of the system, saying that he could now hear instruments that he had never heard here, only in his studio. Furthermore, visitor reactions have shown that the sound now comes across much better, giving them a sense that they are really “in” the film.’
‘The combination of an immense dome screen, the movements of the attraction supported with special effects and a dynamic audio system makes it feel like you are flying like a bird over the Netherlands,’ adds Joost van der Wereld, Technical Manager at This is Holland. ‘The audio effects range from very small position bound effects to full space-filling orchestral parts. The Alcons system has been found to be extremely suitable for This, because of the powerful pro-ribbon drivers that produce a pure sound at high power.’
