swan@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US (Joel Swan) (08/12/89)
The Amiga shines....
You've probably all heard of the mongo Disney-MGM Studios Theme park
that just opened at Walt Disney World. Did you know _how_ the entire
operation is controlled? Interested? Read on..... and look for the
word AMIGA. Anyone in the audio world will recognize the audio
components as being the best you can get (Meyer, Yamaha PM3000, etc.)
as is Disney's usual policy. This must imply something about Ami.
This text is as it appears in the MAY 10 issue of "Pro Sound News" and
is reprinted w/o moms permission.
_Disney/MGM Studios Epic Park_
Lake Buene Vista, FL. - Walt Disney World has announced the grand
opening of the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park here, a sound
installation of epic proportions.
While tourists at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, at
the new 2,000 seat amphitheater, experience the vicarious thrill of a
second unit stunt crew in action, behind the scenes lies a very
sophisticated computer-controlled system.
"We've put together sets and sound system to give the audience a
real thrill," said Bill Platt, manager of design for creative
entertainment at Disney. Platt oversaw the design of the theater
long with K. C. Ladnier. "There are live theatrical things happening
along with pre-recorded sound effects and music tracks. The sound
system itself is more than 100,000 watts of power.
"We have several systems coming on line that are pretty unique,"
said Platt, including an array of computer-controlled EPROMs (Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory) and R-DAT machines. Equipment
includes: two Sony 2500 DAT machines for music playback, a nine-rack
system of 16 bit EPROMs, by Nuoptix, for playback of sound effects,
announcements and some earthquake effects; and an Otari eight track
for some ambient tracks.
A Yamaha PM-3000 console is also a major player in the Disney
line-up.
The Master controller for the whole set-up is an Amiga-based
computer program by Richard Sound Design of Vancouver, Canada. The
program acts as a router/switcher for all the EPROMs as well as a
whole rack of hardware electronics controlleing the automatic panning
and routing of EPROM sound effects to the appropriate speakers.
"A surround sound system provided by Richard literally looks at
all the speakers as individual outputs," said Platt, who added that
there are more than 90 speakers in the entire system, including Meyer
UPA-1Aa and the new EAW KF-850s, driven by Crest amplifiers, Model
4001s and 8001s.
For the earthquake effects, there are over 64 18-inch speakers
(EAW 850s) loaded into 32 dual cabinets. "The earthquake system is
mounted in the ceiling grid on a special catwalk system with shock
absorbers overhead," explained Platt. That sounds pretty
earth-shaking.
------------------
It was great to see the Amiga get some press after seeing so many
of their articles mention the Macinslosh.
--
- Joel E. Swan
[ swan@jolnet.UUCP <> PLINK ID: Amiga*joel ]
[ "Amigas.... for the rest of us." <> CI$ : 74746,3240 ]
[ "...peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:8 ]suther@novavax.UUCP (Scot M. Sutherland) (08/13/89)
In article <1306@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US> swan@jolnet.UUCP (Joel Swan) writes: >The Amiga shines.... > >You've probably all heard of the mongo Disney-MGM Studios Theme park [text deleted] >It was great to see the Amiga get some press after seeing so many >of their articles mention the Macinslosh. You're right! Too many Macaronies and Ill Begotten Machiners, aren't aware of the Amiga, or at least the real Amiga. :^)) I have also heard that the Amiga has made some significant inroads into Disney's animation division in Burbank. Can anyone verify this? How are the Amigas beign used? I have heard some things from CBM West, and Silent Software, but no details. Does anyboady else know anything? Scot--
hcmutt@hpcll31.HP.COM (Harry Muttart) (08/15/89)
Regarding Disney use of Amigas for animation...see the latest issue of Amazing Computing...The article about Heidi Turnipseed (real name) makes very good reading. Talks about the way that a Disney trained professional animator uses little orphan Ami... Harry Muttart
dwl10@uts.amdahl.com (Dave Lowrey) (08/19/89)
In article <1434@novavax.UUCP> suther@novavax.UUCP (Scot M. Sutherland) writes: > >You're right! Too many Macaronies and Ill Begotten Machiners, >aren't aware of the Amiga, or at least the real Amiga. :^)) > >I have also heard that the Amiga has made some significant >inroads into Disney's animation division in Burbank. Can anyone >verify this? How are the Amigas beign used? I have heard some >things from CBM West, and Silent Software, but no details. Does >anyboady else know anything? I have heard that the "Story Boarding" for Roger Rabbit was done on an Amiga. -- "What is another word | Dave Lowrey | [The opinions expressed MAY be for 'Thesaurus'?" | Amdahl Corp. | those of the author and are not | Houston, Texas | necessarily those of his Steven Wright | amdahl!dwl10 | employer] (`nuff said!)