Yamaha Brings Cool Surround Sound To Ice Camp 2020

Between January and April every year, the Kitzsteinhorn ski resort in the Austrian alps creates Ice Camp, which celebrates the life cycle of nature by transforming the winter’s snowfall into an art and entertainment installation before it melts again in the spring. Ice Camp 2020 features a unique sound installation, aided by high quality Yamaha systems.

Located 2600m above sea level, Ice Camp 2020 comprises three uniquely-designed igloos, each 12m in diameter and 6m high. The centrepiece is the unique Ice Symphonium, created by Austrian artist Max Seibald. Made completely from ice, this impressive instrument is essentially a kind of ‘singing bowl’ with giant, stylized horns. Visitors can use touch pads to change the sounds which, as the artist says, “evoke an atmosphere of sublime harmony in combination with gentle ‘music of the spheres’”.

The sound is intended to be experienced as ‘tonal paintings’, so Yamaha’s reputation for delivering the highest quality background music meant it was a natural fit for the Ice Symphonium’s surround sound installation.

Powered by a PX8 power amplifier, six white VXS5W speakers are installed in specially-cut alcoves around the igloo’s perimeter, complemented by a hidden HS8S powered subwoofer. This makes the surround system effectively disappear, keeping the visual focus on the Ice Symphonium. A Steinberg UR824 audio interface connects the Yamaha system to the PC that hosts the audio soundscape and a VST library for the interactive interface.

Ice Camp 2020’s social focal point is the stylish Ice Bar. Here DZR10 powered loudspeakers and an MG series mixer provide high quality background music, with the option for live input.

Meanwhile, an outdoor sun deck area hosts a range of live events from mid-February onwards. Here a main PA of DZR15 powered loudspeakers and DXS18XLF extended low frequency powered subwoofers is complemented by DXR12mkII powered loudspeakers for monitoring.

“A sense of amazement and almost mystical enchantment amidst the ice are the initial reactions when winter sports fans step into our Ice Camp for the first time. It contributes to our goal of offering our guests special outdoor experiences and unforgettable moments in a unique natural setting,” says Norbert Karlsböck, CEO of the resort’s management company Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG.

Ice Camp 2020 is open until 19th April.