ATK Audiotek demonstrated the Cohesion catalog at Microsoft Ignite 2023, the tech giant’s annual demonstration of new products and solutions.
Andrew Waterman, Microsoft’s Account Manager for ATK Audiotek, explained that Microsoft’s top goals at any conference are “to be able to see what presenters are talking about, but more importantly, to hear them clearly.”
Waterman first heard Cohesion’s products during a demonstration two years prior, the 45-year veteran front-of-house mixer was impressed enough to design for Ignite a system that relies on Cohesion’s flexibility.
“Cohesion is easy to rig, easy to fly, and sounds great,” said Waterman. “The EQ I have to do is minimal. I’m totally all in on Cohesion.”
The system at the Keynote Stage included twelve arrays of CO10 line arrays utilizing both 120° and 80° directivities to ensure each of the 4,500-plus eager attendees were enveloped by crystal-clear sound.
Waterman said, “When you have a guy on stage with a lavalier the size of a pinhead speaking to more than 4,000 people, it’s really important the speaker system works flawlessly. In my experience with Cohesion, it’s engulfing, it’s controllable, it’s seamless.”
Eight CP6+ self-powered point source loudspeakers, hidden within the recess of a purpose-built three-foot “moat” shelf in front of the Keynote Stage, provided front fill, while a ninth CP6+ directed sound toward a cluster of seats on the side.
Six CP218 II+ subwoofers were deployed in a cardioid arrangement, notably, they pulsed in a “sonic heartbeat” on each of the three days of Ignite to signal that a keynote speech was about to begin. As guests found their seats, show producers were heard to have exclaimed over the CP 218 II+ thrum, “This is really working!”
Microsoft held their IP Theater Stage to broadcast a continuous live program featuring a variety of hosts, guests, and live demonstrations. The CP6+ was selected to provide the entire PA system. Its output (max SPL of 135 dB) for its smaller form factor and its adaptable pattern control (optional horizontal directivity of 120° or 80°) made it ideal for this application.
This year’s conference topics focused on the latest AI innovations, including increased applications for Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI Studio.
The Cohesion team has dedicated resources into designing and manufacturing audio products that deliver efficient performance with coverage for use at any venue. The importance of reproducing speech with the utmost clarity to the audience could not be understated given the global significance of Microsoft’s conference. With Waterman’s thoughtful design and Cohesion products in the spotlight, the system delivered. As Waterman suggested, “Cohesion, for me, is the ideal speaker. There’s no other speaker I would use.”
