Challenge
The AIDA fleet has exceptionally high demands when it comes to the radio microphones used for their entertainment programmes. The wireless systems need to deliver premium quality sound, fulfil the local frequency regulations at any point along the route, and must operate without interference even in particularly difficult RF environments, such as ports.
Solution
The theatre on the AIDAcara uses nine Sennheiser EM 6000 two-channel receivers, along with fourteen bodypack transmitters and thirteen handheld transmitters. While the theatre on the AIDAvita uses comparable equipment, the larger AIDAblu employs a total of 20 Sennheiser two-channel receivers.
"We are planning to equip the entire AIDA fleet with Sennheiser Digital 6000 systems in the near future."
- Daniel Hobucher, Supervisor Sound Technology at AIDA Cruises -
The entertainment programme on board the AIDA cruise ships is increasingly becoming the domain of Sennheiser Digital 6000 systems. In April 2017, the AIDAvita became the first member of the fleet to be equipped with the audio specialist’s digital wireless systems. In the meantime, it has been followed by the AIDAcara and AIDAblu. The AIDAaura was fitted out with the Digital 6000 systems in April 2018, the AIDAstella and AIDAbella will benefit from Sennheiser’s pioneering wireless solution later this year.
- CustomerAIDA Cruises - German Branch of Costa Crociere S.p.A. (a brand of Carnival Corporation & plc)
- Products installedEM 6000 two-channel receivers, SKM 6000 handheld transmitters with MD 9235 and MD 9005 microphone heads, SK 6000 bodypack transmitters with HSP 2 and HSP 4 headset microphones, as well as MKE series clip-on microphones
- 网站www.aida.de
- CountryGlobal
- IndustryCruises, hospitality, tourism
- ProfileThe cruise ships of the AIDA fleet set new standards for cruises. They aim to provide a young and active holiday experience, excitement and premium quality. The ships offer a diverse range of sports and fitness facilities, unusual excursions on land, the opportunity to experience a range of gourmet food and comfortable cabins. An integral part of this lifestyle-focused holiday at sea is a professional entertainment programme with spectacular shows that will delight passengers of all ages. Currently, the fleet with the familiar “kiss mouth” logo includes ten ships (AIDAcara, AIDAvita, AIDAaura, AIDAdiva, AIDAbella, AIDAluna, AIDAblu, AIDAsol, AIDAmar and AIDAstella).
“We are planning to equip the entire AIDA fleet with Sennheiser Digital 6000 systems in the near future,” said Daniel Hobucher, who, as Supervisor Sound Technology at AIDA Cruises, is responsible for the complete fleet, from the AIDAcara to the AIDAnova, which is currently being built. Today, twelve AIDA cruise ships are criss-crossing the oceans, and the aim is to standardise the audio equipment throughout the fleet, which has grown steadily over the years. “We want to avoid having any stand-alone solutions because our technicians move from one ship to another and they need to be able to find comparable working conditions wherever possible,” Hobucher added.
The use of ground-breaking Sennheiser Digital 6000 systems relieves the crew of any problems with wireless interference. “Ever since the Digital 6000 systems were installed on board, we have no longer heard of any complaints whatsoever in this respect,” reported Daniel Hobucher. Even in the outside areas such as the pool deck, which tend to be particularly sensitive to transmission interference, everything works perfectly.”
Daniel Hobucher is highly impressed by the user-friendly battery technology of the Sennheiser Digital 6000 systems: “The operating time of the rechargeable batteries is more than sufficient, and the indication of the remaining battery life is very reliable. A special feature is the 19” format of the charging units. There is very limited space available on the ships, and the charging units that were previously used for the BA battery packs were not the optimum solution for us for this reason. The flatter L 6000 charging stations in their 19” 1U format are a definite improvement!”
The innovative Sennheiser Digital 6000 systems are operated on board in parallel with proven analogue Sennheiser wireless monitoring channels, which, according to Daniel Hobucher, “works absolutely brilliantly”. After the new equipment was installed, members of the show ensemble expressed the view that they could hear their voices much more directly and clearly thanks to the new Sennheiser transmitters.
“We have been working with Sennheiser for more than 20 years now and have always experienced this company to be a reliable partner,” said Daniel Hobucher. “The quality of the products is superb, which also applies to the finish as well as to the sound.”
