On the Same Wavelength
A few years ago, René and Sijmen ran into each other at Festivak. And it turned out to be a great match. “A fun and inspiring entrepreneur. Young, technically forward-thinking, and always ready to dive right in,” says René about his partner in crime. Among other things, the two collaborated on a 360° dome experience: a dome-shaped tent where sound, spectacular animations, and scents come together. Since then, the two have been on the same wavelength. “René always pitches creative ideas to me, and then we tackle them together and bring them to life,” says Sijmen.
While Sijmen, through Showdesign, handles the technology behind lighting, sound, video, and complete shows, René, through Silent Disco Events, is constantly on the lookout for new applications for wireless audio technology. “If Sijmen needs something related to silent disco, he comes to me. And if I need something in the AV field, I call him.”
Sound is everywhere
René proves every day that silent disco is no longer just about a dance floor full of people wearing headphones. From low-stimulus guided tours and multilingual seminars to guided tours on multiple audio channels, the possibilities of audio are endless.
And that’s exactly what the two of them want to showcase at Festivak. Immersive Sound plays the leading role, but why limit an experience to what you see and hear? At their booth, René and Sijmen are throwing in another sense: smell.
Meet the scent DJ
Scents and memories are inextricably linked. When you smell lavender, ylang-ylang, and geranium flowers, it has a calming effect. When you smell cedarwood, you might just recall that one exclusive product presentation.
In retail, scent marketing has been used for years to influence atmosphere and experience. But there are also plenty of opportunities within the events industry. “We have more than fifty scent extracts, divided into different main groups, such as earthy, floral, and fruity scents. We use these to experiment and explore the impact different scents have on people,” says René.
At Festivak, you can discover for yourself what happens when scent becomes part of an audiovisual experience.
Immersive Sound: love at first listen
While René experiments with scents and silent disco audio, Sijmen became completely captivated by another development during a visit to Paris: immersive sound. “Amazing!” he exclaims enthusiastically.
According to Sijmen, relatively little has fundamentally changed in the world of audio for years. Of course, systems have become better, more powerful, and smarter. But the way we distribute sound? That has remained largely the same, until now. “This is a turning point. This is how we’re going to do it from now on,” Sijmen says with conviction.
With traditional stereo systems, sound comes from the left and right. Immersive sound takes it a big step further. Different elements of the music, such as vocals, guitar, and other instruments, can be individually positioned and controlled throughout the space. This creates a much more spacious and natural soundscape. It’s as if you’re not standing in front of a performance, but right in the middle of it.
After his first introduction to the technology, Sijmen was so convinced that he invested about three ton in equipment. Back in the Netherlands, the system was immediately set up in the warehouse to test with colleagues. They, too, were sold on it right away! Showdesign is now certified to work with immersive sound. “In the Netherlands, there are twenty people who do this, and five of them work for us,” Sijmen says proudly.
A World of Difference
According to Sijmen, there’s a world of difference in sound and experience. “Imagine this: Spike from DI-RECT is running across the stage with his guitar. With immersive sound, the sound moves with him. What you see is what you hear,” he explains.
Instruments and vocals each have their own distinct space, creating a clear, spacious sound. And whether you’re standing in the front, the back, or on the side, the music comes through perfectly everywhere. “You get much more immersed in the performance,” René agrees.
Because once you’ve experienced how spacious and clear music can sound, there’s a good chance that at your next concert, you’ll suddenly view those traditional left and right speakers in a whole new light.
No more “hearing damage” volume settings
And there’s another advantage, one that can make festival organizers, attendees, and neighbors alike happy. Because immersive sound allows for more precise sound distribution, the volume doesn’t always have to be cranked up to achieve the same impact. In other words: less need to crank the speakers up to “hearing damage” levels.
“If it has to be so loud that everyone needs earplugs, that’s a bad sign and a shortcoming in the industry,” says Sijmen.
This technology can also help limit noise pollution for the surrounding area. And that’s particularly relevant for events that increasingly have to comply with strict noise regulations and accommodate nearby residents.
More experience, fewer decibels
That sounds like music to the ears. Showdesign has already tested the technology in various settings—from staff parties to live performances and festivals. According to Sijmen, you notice the difference not only in the sound quality but also in the overall atmosphere. A party runs more smoothly, and people can dance and still talk to each other.
Showdesign has also checked off an outdoor festival with immersive sound from its list. The Musica Mundo Festival (Amersfoort), where multiple artists performed every day. “That’s when I stand there with tears in my eyes. It creates such an immersive experience,” says Sijmen.
And the audience? According to him, they’re sometimes literally listening with their mouths agape.
For organizers, that might be the most interesting part. Because in a market where visitors are becoming increasingly critical and events must continue to stand out, it’s precisely the quality of the experience that can make all the difference.
Get Behind the Controls at Festivak
If immersive sound is so impressive, why isn’t everyone using it? “It’s something new. New things are exciting, and audio people tend to be conservative. So you really have to explain it well,” the two explain.
And that’s exactly why René and Sijmen aren’t building a standard trade show booth at Festivak, they’re creating a true experience booth. Here, you can discover for yourself what the technology does. “Bring a set of multitracks and just give it a try. Experience the difference and see how much easier and more fun it becomes,” Sijmen invites.
Because immersive sound is something you have to experience live. According to him, you can never fully convey that in a video. And of course, there’s also room to experiment with scents, silent discos, and other surprising applications.
One thing is certain: after visiting the booth, you’ll never listen to sound quite the same way again. Curious? Come listen, smell, feel, and, most importantly, try it out for yourself at Festivak at booth #6-410. René and Sijmen would love to show you how technology enhances the experience.
Immersive Sound Experience X Festivak
Wednesday,November18
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Try your hand at hyperreal mixing (bring your own multichannel file)
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. Live Mixing OGENE in Immersive Audio—Band Sound in Practice
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM Benefits of immersive audio, including the Musica Mundo case study
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM Scent DJ – Demo and explanation of how scent completes your event
6:00 PM – 6:15 PM L-Acoustics DJ by DJ Trickkit – Do’s and Don’ts of Immersive DJing
6:30 PM – 6:45 PM Scent DJ – Demo and explanation of how scent completes your event
Thursday, November 19
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Try your hand at hyperreal mixing (bring your own multichannel file)
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM Scent DJ – Demo and explanation of how scent completes your event
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM Live Mixing OGENE in Immersive Audio – Band Sound in Practice
2:30 – 2:45 PM Benefits of immersive audio, including the Musica Mundo case study
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM L-Acoustics DJ by DJ Trickkit