Fira de Montjuïc is one of Barcelona's most iconic and well-known fairgrounds.
During its latest phase, it faced a significant technological challenge: the obsolescence of its public address system. This system, essential for communication during its events, was based on a management matrix that had begun to experience repeated operational failures.
Facing the need to modernize this critical component without interrupting the events calendar, the management of Fira de Montjuïc decided to undertake a comprehensive system update.
Client needs
The Montjuïc public address system, although functional in many areas, relied on outdated technology equipment. The system's management matrix, a Philips SM-40, had become a source of concern due to its aging and repeated malfunctions. This component was vital for managing automatic alerts and emergencies operated from the Fira control center and needed a solution that could seamlessly integrate with the rest of the existing system.
Operating environment
The previous audio management matrix represented an advanced solution for audio management in environments like Fira's. The system was designed to handle automatic and emergency alerts through programmable logic controllers, a feature that needed to be preserved and enhanced in the update.
The zoning microphone consoles in the different pavilions also experienced operational failures, making seamless integration with alert points in each pavilion an essential requirement to maintain the operability and flexibility of the public address system.
Client requirements
The update needed to focus not only on replacing the problematic matrix but also on maintaining all existing amplifiers and modernizing the bases with alert microphones in all pavilions. This improvement should allow the activation of pre-recorded messages through programmable logic controllers, ensuring a smooth transition in the public address service during Fira's active events calendar.
Symetrix: a winning choice
Following a detailed analysis conducted by Maslevel, acting as a specialized consultant, and Fluge Audiovisuales, as an installation and integration company, Symetrix's Prism series system was selected as the optimal solution.
This decision was based on several key capabilities of the American manufacturer: versatility, management capacity, and a very attractive price-performance ratio.
Symetrix: versatility and configuration
The Symetrix Prism series quickly stood out for its adaptability to different configurations, allowing effective integration with the existing system through a bypass process. This ensured the continued operability of the public address system while new message services and programmable logic controller activation were programmed and tested. The ability to operate with systems in parallel offered exceptional flexibility for the transition phase.
Symetrix management capacity
Remote configuration and real-time adjustment capabilities for multiple local clients were decisive factors. Fluge Audiovisuales carried out the relevant installations, while configuration and testing were remotely managed from Madrid, leveraging Symetrix's robust telematics management. This feature allowed for agile and efficient implementation, adapting to the specific needs of each pavilion and optimizing the end-user experience.
Implementation and outcome
The implementation of the new Symetrix management system was masterfully executed by Fluge Audiovisuales. The transition was smooth, without disrupting Fira's events calendar. End users, both operators at the Fira control center and staff in the pavilions, experienced a noticeable improvement in ease of use and sound quality.
The versatility of the Symetrix system allowed for custom configurations for each space, ensuring that automatic and emergency alerts, as well as announcements from pavilion podiums, were broadcast with clarity and precision. The remote management capability simplified system maintenance and updates, offering unprecedented flexibility for real-time adjustments.
Conclusion and final reflection
The update of Fira de Montjuïc's public address system is a clear example of how collaboration between installation experts and consultants can lead to the realization of technically complex projects with outstanding results. Fluge Audiovisuales and Maslevel demonstrated their ability to deeply understand the client's needs and apply advanced technological solutions effectively.
The choice of Symetrix as the backbone of the new public address system not only solved Fira's immediate challenges but also positioned Montjuïc's infrastructure once again at the forefront of sound technology. This update ensures that Fira de Montjuïc remains a space where communication and safety go hand in hand, enhancing the experience of all attendees and participants in the events.
This project highlights the importance of selecting sound equipment not only for its technical performance but also for its ability to integrate and evolve within existing systems.
The public address system update at Fira de Montjuïc serves as a model for future technological renovations in the events sector, demonstrating that with the right team and technical expertise, even the most complex challenges can be overcome.
