John,
You know better than anyone else what your needs and goals are. And I am not going to question your Consultant when they are much more familiar with the project and probably have a lot more insight into all the project requirements. I also realize that renovations have many considerations that are not present in new construction. However, I will reiterate a couple of points already made and then add three.
It is very unusual for focusing on just the
current use to be a good idea. It is typically better to think of what might be done rather than just what is currently or has been done. A simple example, say you want to
build a
speaker or mic into a set piece or simply want four mics and stands on
stage for a performance, with the
stage I/O planned that seems to require running cables around the
stage including across entry and exit paths. It sounds like this is a comprehensive renovation so it would be a great opportunity to accommodate future flexibility by things like adding additional
conduit, boxes and connectivity now.
Think carefully about your I/O and the
console. The Narrative Description calls for a four
channel effects
system and there is reference to an Owner Furnished laptop for effects and program audio, so that sounds like six channels of input for that source (four effects channels and stereo program). They
call for a CD/
MP3 player in the booth, so that is another two channels. Eight channels of mics and one
line input one each side of the
stage. A couple of mic inputs, a
line input and stereo program in the
stage floor pocket. That is a total of 31 wired inputs. Add 12 to 18 wireless to start with the possibility of up to 24 wireless mics and that results in a minimum of 43 inputs initially and up to 55 inputs (or more if you add any in the pit,
etc.) that appear to be planned. Yet the plan is for a 32
channel console. Even if the laptop is only a stereo input, the floor box has only one mic and you do not add any other inputs, it appears that you are still going to have to incorporate a larger
console or some type of patching
system, which is not at all unusual for this type of
venue. However, that would be a significant operational consideration and should be clarified. It also relates to the planned multipin connections for the
console.
I am surprised to not see any diffusion apparently recommended for the pit. With the recommended absorptive rear wall treatment there seems to be little to support ensemble amongst the musicians.
Has their been any effort to verify that your existing wireless mics can be reused? While I understand that it may not be possible to assess the potential of reusing some existing equipment items until the design progresses further, you should be able to determine if any wireless mics can be reused or if some might be affected by recent changes in the related laws.
The AV systems overview talks about an automatic mode that includes projection and there is later reference to a center
stage floor box for audiovisual presentations including "video" inputs and to video control and scaling in the booth, however I have not found any actual discussion of video projection or mention of a
projector,
screen,
etc. From what the "video" inputs are to how it could affect the budget to how you have a center
stage lectern location that doesn't interfere with the projected
image, it might be nice to know what is actually planned.
There are many other things that are unusual such as the mix position in a booth, the multipin connections for what seems to be a fixed
console, the
DSP at the booth instead of the amp rack,
etc., but there may be specific reasons for these.