Shure Wireless Drives Audio for Volkswagen at 2012 International Auto Shows

Axient® Systems Deliver Secure Wireless Transmission and Interference-Free Performance Across Large-Scale Exhibitions in Beijing and Paris


NILES, IL — The new Shure Axient wireless system proved to be the high-performance wireless engine behind Volkswagen’s 2012 trade show presence, providing flawless audio for the mass of attendees across the exhibit floors at the 2012 Beijing International Automobile Exhibition and The 2012 Paris Motor Show. Volkswagen contracted Swiss rental company Winkler Multi Media Events to manage any potential interference issues posed by the challenging spectrum environments at the shows.

The first event in Beijing, which took place from April 23 to May 2, required the system’s design team to create a wireless blueprint that would deliver uncompromised audio performance at Volkswagen’s exhibit showcase — despite 230,000 meters of crowded exhibition area, 8,000 attendees, and more than 2,000 exhibitors. Axient emerged as the clear solution, according to Sebastian Hornung, Head of Audio Engineering of Winkler Multi Media Events, who cited the system’s Spectrum Management tools in Shure’s Wireless Workbench software, Frequency Diversity, and Interference Detection and Avoidance as key factors for maximizing reliability during these exhibitions.

Hornung explains, “Axient solves the interference problems and allows secure and safe wireless transmission. The system affords our team an unparalleled level of control and flexibility that helps us navigate complicated RF environments with a stable and reliable signal.” In Beijing, Winkler relied on the AXT400 dual channel receiver to produce 11 channels, five of which benefited from Axient’s Frequency Diversity function that enables full-bandwidth audio from a single source on two separate frequencies to produce clean, uninterrupted performances.

The automotive industry is not exempt from the normal demands of a live trade show. “A major challenge in these settings is the increasing number of time constraints on show setup. Additionally, spokespersons often arrive at the stand within a couple of minutes of the show’s start time, removing any opportunity for our team to conduct a sound check with presenters onsite. This is where Axient’s Remote Control lends a huge advantage, as gains can be set and frequencies changed remotely in real time. Prior to using Axient, we always had to swap transmitters, which would interrupt sound check in an already time-limited situation, and now we have the Remote Control function to accommodate on-the-fly adjustments,” adds Hornung.

Following the successful show in Beijing, Winkler again selected Axient to use at Volkswagen’s exhibit during the recent Paris Motor Show, which took place from September 29 to October 14. There, the Axient systems configuration included three channels on Frequency Diversity with beltpacks, along with 12 channels operating in single mode.

“Two major shows were executed without a hitch, and, more importantly, we didn’t have to worry about spectrum or interference issues. This wasn’t always the case in the past and Axient’s robust feature set gets the credit for combatting hostile wireless environments, thus eliminating the headaches typically synonymous with live exhibitions,” comments Hornung.

Continuing the momentum, Axient systems will also support Volkswagen’s presence at North America’s upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January 2013.

For more information on Shure’s Axient wireless systems, visit www.axient.net.