Following some very positive feedback from last years event, Sound By Design were once again contracted to provide sound for the annual awards show of Siemens PLC.

This year the show took inspiration from the film Orient Express. The centrepiece of the show was a revolving set which transformed from being the front of a locomotive into an interior carriage of the train, complete with minibar and piano!

Dave Shepherd and Griff Hewis took the opportunity of using the company’s new DiGiCo D1 and 360 Systems Instant Replay machine to create a 5.1 surround ambience of station sounds and steam noises, panning spot effects around the room with the D1’s joystick functions. All of this gradually built to a climax of the train leaving the station. The 4 Meyer Sound PSW-4 subs under the stage were utilised to portray the power of the train slowly chugging out of the platform, synchronised to lighting, video and steam effects.

The guests were then transported into the carriage of the train on its journey to Venice, with TV weathergirl Sian Lloyd presenting the awards along the way. A baby grand piano was subtly reinforced between stations with dinner music.