Gardaland

A 96-channel audio system powered by 18 Powersoft Quattrocanali 2404 DSP+D amplifiers is immersing riders in the dramatic jungle soundtrack of Jumanji: The Adventure, one of the newest attractions at Gardaland, the largest theme park in Italy.

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, Gardaland opened in 1975 and is now one of Europe’s most popular amusement parks. The 200,000m² park’s attractions include rollercoasters such as Oblivion, Shaman and Blue Tornado, the water rides Fuga da Atlantide (Escape from Atlantis) and Jungle Rapids, and the child-friendly Peppa Pig Land.

Perhaps Gardaland’s most ambitious attraction to date, Jumanji: The Adventure is a multi-sensory dark ride that transports guests through 12 unique environments, bringing them face to face with physical threats including a venomous spiders, falling ruins, a swamp full of hippos and an enormous, animatronic ‘Stone Giant’. As riders travel through the jungle in multi-motion off-road vehicles (resembling those seen in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), their experience is elevated by a host of AV wizardry, including projection mapping, holography and immersive spatial audio.

To provide the power and flexibility needed for the 96 channels of audio providing the soundtrack to the ride through the rainforest, as well as the reliability required by Gardaland, Bentin team specified 18 Powersoft Quattrocanali 2404 DSP+D. Delivering 2,400W of power (efficiently optimised using Powersoft’s patented Smart Rail Management technology) over four channels. The Powersoft amplifiers are paired with a Q-SYS Core processor, with the audio system complemented by a Alcorn McBride V4X show controller and Pharos lighting controller.

The main challenges the installation faces was to create an audio system that could seamlessly integrate with the attraction’s multi-sensory experience. This required a precise placement of speakers to achieve full immersion without compromising the aesthetics of the place or interfering with other elements of the Jumanji ride.

Audio, in particular, plays a crucial role in enveloping riders in the thrilling world created by Jumani: The Adventure. Bernhard Blank, a system designer from Bentin specifies: “To get a fully immersive experience you need to be able to place the speakers in the right place in the scenery. Having the speakers hidden from guests and delivering audio from all angles is key to creating the correct atmosphere.”

Another challenge was to ensure the reliability of the audio system. Given the expected popularity of the Jumanji attraction, reliability was a key concern for Gardaland. With nearly 1000 people in an hour go through the attraction for more than 200 days a year, maintaining uninterrupted operation of the audio system was fundamental.

The Powersoft Quattrocanali 2402 DSP+D amplifiers equipped with AES67 networking capabilities, were pivotal in the Gardaland’s Jumanji: The adventure attraction. With efficient power delivery and DSP flexibility, the Bentin team optimised the audio experience. AES67 networking ensured seamless communication between the audio components that are vital for the attraction’s audio distribution needs. This integration guaranteed uninterrupted operation, essential for the attraction’s high footfall.

Jumanji: The Adventure audio installation stands out as an example of excellence in attraction park audio integration. The primary objective of any attraction park is to immerse visitors in a captivating world and this audio installation has succeeded in providing this experience to its visitors. From the rustling leaves of the jungle to the animal roars, every sound accompanying the guests and deepening their emotional engagement.

This project demonstrates technical ingenuity by overcoming the challenges of designing, installing and configuring an audio system that integrated with all the elements of the attraction. The strategic placement of the speakers, coupled with the reliable performance of Powersoft Quattrocanali 2404 DSP+D amplifiers ensures a consistent and high-quality sonic experience throughout the ride, enhancing the guest experience.

According to Bentin Projects’ founder and CEO, Benedikt Koch, he had high expectations for the Quattrocanali 2404 DSP+D and adds that “the size and power delivered by the amplifiers is perfect for the audio demands of Jumanji: The adventure.”

As for the reliability, Koch adds that the whole system has worked already with no issues, no failure and no mistakes. “Part of this is the very good work for our programmers – and part of it is the reliable equipment we chose to use.”