National stadium
While the opening pageant showcased the host country, the temporary loudspeaker system installed for the raucous Opening Ceremony relied on imports a mix of JBL Vertec and Meyer Sound speakers. Soundcraft Vi6 consoles ran the stadium’s sound for the event.
The permanent speaker system for the Bird’s Nest, on the other hand, was provided by Chinese manufacturer LAX, with a control system for the speakers also by LAX. This system provided audio to the spectators at the track and field events and the football finals. For the massive power needs of the stadium, over 400 Crown IT4000 I-Tech amplifiers are housed in 30 equipment racks in two rooms within the arena. China Broadcast Bureau, a government agency, designed the stadium’s audio system, which is connected via fiber.
The Bird’s Nest is, of course, only part of the story. All told, the Beijing Olympics were held in 31 different venues—indoor and outdoor stadia, bicycle courses, gymnasiums, and fields—some of which existed before the Games. Most are new, however, and many of them, such as the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium, the National Aquatics Center, and the National Indoor Stadium will remain as fixtures on the Beijing cityscape. A mixed group of systems integrators—often the exclusive Chinese dealer for a specific manufacturer— won bids for these venues’ audio, stage lighting, and control systems.
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