New Bund 31 is a new cultural and commercial landmark in Shanghai, and includes the Performing Arts Center – the largest professional indoor theatre in the city. Combining art, leisure and entertainment retail in a one-stop lifestyle and cultural experience attraction. Its grand opening and subsequent two-month performance season featured 50 diverse performances, planned and designed by UK-based Theatre Projects. The sound system used was centred on DiGiCo Quantum and SD Range of digital mixing consoles.
The 2,500-seat theatre uses a Quantum 7 for FOH and OB, and a Quantum 338 for monitors. Adjacent to the theatre, the Black Box Arts Space uses a DiGiCo SD12-96 and SD11. A further 10,000sq-m outdoor space accommodates festivals, exhibitions, and pop-ups, bringing the latest trending events for visitors and turning the New Bund 31 into a ‘must-visit’ venue.
Setting the scene is the five-storey atrium of the Performing Arts Center’s lobby, adorned with elements reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum. The theatre is designed for a 360° immersive experience, complemented by wall decorations inspired by Chinese folding fans. These not only elevate the acoustic facilities, but also create memorable focal points. The performance hall has three levels of balconies, and discreet VIP boxes hidden in between.
‘DiGiCo Quantum digital mixing consoles have the familiar interface and all the advantages traditionally associated with DiGiCo, while also introducing new features like Spice Rack, Mustard Processing, Nodal Processing and True Solo,’ says RAC Sales Engineer, Cao Peijun. ‘Faster, more efficient, and more powerful, Quantum stands as the ideal and versatile solution for any engineer, providing exceptional intelligence and functionality.’
The Black Box Arts Space venue has a maximum capacity of 1,500, and has a discreet 400-seat concealed seating arrangement. The seating is divided into three zones by acoustic panels, each with its own dedicated audio and lighting system. The versatility of the space serves an array of performance and exhibition requirements. Depending on the specific needs of each, the venue uses either the DiGiCo SD12-96 or SD11. ‘In this specific configuration, we didn’t need the theatre specific software, as the system was capable of fulfilling the requirements for routine use, including theatrical performances or small-scale concerts,’ says Cao Peijun.
The installation, which took place in August last year, was led by Dafeng Industrial Co, working with DiGiCo’s official distributor in China, Racpro. ‘The venue was already very familiar with DiGiCo products, so the team didn’t require any in-depth training apart from familiarising themselves with the Quantum 7, which they hadn’t used before and were new to the A/B Quantum switching feature. However, they got started quickly and understood it in no time,’ says Cao Peijun.
‘DiGiCo has firmly established itself as the industry standard for theatre,’ he adds. ‘In the case of New Bund 31, the majority of the shows come from abroad, and the engineer for Broadway musical The Sound of Music, for example, was delighted to see the Quantum 7 at the venue. The dual Quantum engines ensure failsafe performance, which is complemented by a robust channel configuration and user-friendly interface. This combination liberates engineers, allowing them to concentrate on delivering an exceptional show.’
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