It can now be revealed that Allen & Heath, a British producer of professional audio mixing consoles, has augmented the sonic experience on the Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) huge cruise ship. Allen & Heath’s audio technology was incorporated throughout Icon and its eight neighbourhoods.
The huge ship, which made its maiden voyage in January this year, has a capacity of 7,600 passengers, 20 decks with seven swimming pools and six water slides. RCI claims it has the tallest waterfall, the tallest water slide, and the largest waterpark of any cruise ship. Standout features of the partnership are entertainment venues Absolute Zero and Music Hall, which both showcase Allen & Heath’s S5000 Mixer. The audio apparatus has been designed to enhance Absolute Zero’s ice skaters’ performances in the ice arena. Later at night, the system animates the dance floor for rock bands and DJs at Music Hall.
Atop the Icon of the Seas is the AquaDome neighbourhood, home to the AquaTheatre, which features water shows. Central to this experience is the Allen & Heath C1500 Mixing Surface. The system drives the performance of divers, skateboarders, aerialists, slackliners and synchronised swimmers.
Meanwhile, Allen & Heath’s SQ-5 Mixers form the core of the tech for several other on-board live music and entertainment venues. The mixers animate everything from Latin rhythms in Boleros, comedy acts in The Attic, energetic piano battles in Duelling Pianos, and jazz pop at Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues.
Upscale restaurants and bars, such as Empire Supper Club, Schooner Bar, and 1400 Lobby Bar, are outfitted with Allen & Heath Qu-SB Mixers.
Kevin Madden, sales manager, Allen & Heath, said: “When Icon of the Seas was in its genesis, we were fortunate to present an introduction to Allen & Heath’s newest, flagship, 96kHhz dLive audio mixing platform to Royal Caribbean.”
He continued: “The high-resolution audio, myriad of configuration possibilities and ease of operation with dLive, as well as familiar workflow among all product series, presents a unique continuity for production staff that may be tasked with maintaining and operating audio in any variety of venues.”
