Martin Audio speakers have been used in the large octagonal 360-degree surround sound room Audio Interactive Space, as well as in the Mind Hub space, which stands out for its enormous cube with 1,000 Led spheres.
Based in the heart of London’s West End, Twist Museum is a 4,572 square meter space offering pioneering, immersive, interactive and multi-sensory attractions. An environment that challenges the visitor to explore the world of illusion, a collaborative work carried out by leading artists, psychologists and neuroscientists.
Audio-visual integration was entrusted to London-based Crossover, who specified, installed, programmed and commissioned essential audio-visual equipment for management and routing through a centralized digital backbone network enabling the day-to-day operation and management of the venue.
Developed by multimedia artist Aristóteles Roufanis, the exhibition Digital Mirror uses a camera and large-format screen to create an ‘interactive mirror’ that distorts people’s reflections in real time. The Crossover team provided the screens, the audio system, and the final processing hardware, which processes the captured images to display the illusions and distortions to the viewer.
Crossover helped the museum’s project team build another of Roufanis’ creations, the Digital Kaleidoscope, with real-time looped audio in Ableton Live. The Kaleidoscope is a hexagonal tube with mirrors. People who enter it are immersed in a display of colors and patterns and their reflections that are influenced by their movements and interactions. Crossover supplied and installed the projection systems, camera, processing hardware and audio system for this interactive attraction.
Audio Interactive Space and Mind Hub
Martin Audio speakers were specified in the Audio Interactive Space and Mind Hubwhere coherent and distortion-free output was paramount.
The first is a large, acoustically treated, octagonal 360-degree surround sound room that immerses the visitor in soundscapes created by the artist and composer Antoine Bertin. Custom-programmed LED lighting synchronizes with audio to enhance sensory impact.
Crossover delivered this vision through the installation of eight Genelec active speakers suspended just above ear level, bass provided by a slim Martin Audio subwoofer. SX110 of 1 x 10 inches, audio signal processing and audio playback by Q-SYS, and the skillful installation and programming of the Led lighting.
This was chosen “for its very compact form factor and the fact that it could be easily flown without taking up valuable space,” explains senior Crossover systems designer, Juan Garcia. “In addition, we know Martin Audio very well and love the sound of their speakers and their reliability. The fact that the space was small and the sub so powerful that we only needed one SX110 to avoid hot spots and crashes.” It was installed towards the side of the room, rather than the center, to maximize bass coverage.
About halfway through the journey, visitors enter the Mind Hub. Crossover installed the lighting and supplied the lighting control hardware and audio system for this show, at the center of which is a massive 1,000 cube. Led spheres individually controllable that hang from the ceiling, creating fascinating patterns and shapes.
Here and in the events area, Crossover has specified eight Martin Audio Adorn A55T, focused on background music and small events within that space, chosen for their output within a discreet space. These are powered by a Martin Audio amplifier VIA2004 4 channels and 2000 W Class D.
The Upside-Down room and the Ames room They are two delights for visitors, and both offer disorienting experiences that delight adults and children alike.
In the latter, originally created by Adelbert Ames, a large format screen and high quality camera supplied and installed by Crossover help replicate the illusion reduction effects within the room itself. The Upside-Down room features a Martin Audio music system, with the option for a DJ to play for parties and events.
The Crossover team installed and programmed the backend with Q-SYS to give the museum full control of the audio, video and lighting of the exhibits. An easy-to-operate touch panel interface allows staff to monitor exhibits and maintain uptime.
“It has been a brilliant project we have worked on. “It was particularly rewarding due to the close collaboration with international artists to bring their visions to life with some of the best audiovisual technologies available,” he says. David Sacksdirector of Crossover.
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