Immersion and suspension of disbelief are paramount in the attractions industry, transforming a visit into an unforgettable experience. This deep engagement draws guests into a captivating story, immersing them in environments crafted with a blend of visual, tactile, and auditory technologies.
Powersoft, the Italian amplifier specialist, is pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences with its new DC Rider product. This onboard multi-channel amplifier showcases the transformative power of audio and haptic technology advancements.
Thomas Howie, Business Development Manager, and Tom Bland, Solutions Engineer, at Powersoft, spoke with blooloop about the critical role of technology in attractions and how the DC Rider will enhance future immersive experiences.
Suspending Disbelief: A Cornerstone of Immersion
Immersion is no longer a trend but a fundamental element of the attractions industry. "We're striving for suspension of disbelief, which is key to the immersive nature of these projects and experiences," explains Howie. "Audiences are increasingly expecting something more fulfilling, exciting, engaging, and immersive."
Suspension of disbelief refers to the psychological process where audiences willingly set aside scepticism and doubt to fully engage with a fictional narrative. They embrace its premises and internal logic, regardless of how fantastical or unlikely they might be. This concept is vital in storytelling, particularly in entertainment forms like films, books, video games, and theme park attractions.
Today's audience is accustomed to entertainment that blends sensory elements and meticulously designed environments, encouraging them to leave reality behind and step into another world. Immersive experiences extend beyond theme parks and cinemas. The trend has permeated other sectors, including live events, sports arenas, and museums, blurring the lines between different forms of entertainment.
"We see this in the sports world, in museum spaces, and of course, in themed entertainment," says Howie. "The innovative technology driving this capability is raising the bar for more immersive experiences."
This growing demand for deeply engaging experiences compels operators and creators to stay ahead of the curve, adopting the latest tech innovations. "We've got an exciting world going on in immersive tech at Powersoft â we're interested in making things move, so products like our Mover and our haptic integration really help with this immersion when it comes to telling a story," says Bland.
Powersoft Enables Immersive Audio for Today's Attractions
Immersive sound and onboard audio are becoming increasingly prominent in rides. "I'm seeing more onboard audio in dark rides and coasters than ever before, and it's driven by guest expectations," says Bland. "It's all about trying to ensure they're in that story right away, from the pre-show to the exit."
Integrating audio directly on ride vehicles allows attractions to create a continuous and immersive soundscape that follows the guests, amplifying the storytelling and minimising noise pollution. Bland highlights that this approach addresses several technical and operational challenges.
"You've got this vehicle going around this cavernous space, and if you want that space to sound good, you've got to put loads of acoustic material in there, and you've got to put high-quality loudspeakers⦠Then, as soon as you do that, you end up in a problem whereby the next scene behind you can hear the scene coming up, giving away the story. So, you get this bleed between scenes, meaning you have to space the ride vehicles apart, so they don't get spoilers, which then really disrupts your flow."
The solution? Onboard audio with speakers close to guests' ears, reducing the volume needed for impactful sound. "Every time we halve the distance between the loudspeaker and the listener, we can then turn that loudspeaker down by six dB. Put them right next to the ears of the guests, and you can turn them down a long way."
This precision minimises sound leakage and enhances throughput by allowing vehicles to move closer together, reducing queue times â a win-win for operators and visitors alike.
DC Rider: Powersoft's New Secret Weapon for Immersive Audio
Powersoft's latest product, the DC Rider, addresses the need for versatile, high-quality onboard audio. This new onboard multi-channel amplifier can help create a seamless, immersive experience that operates reliably in high-stakes environments like theme parks, where failures are not an option.
"This is going to be a new secret weapon for attraction designers," says Bland. "It's super small but also packs a punch with many channels. As technology has come on, it's now possible to shrink down the size of the components needed to make great on-board audio happen."
The compact size of the DC Rider, weighing just over a kilogram, and its robust construction make it adaptable for both new and retrofitted attractions. Bland highlights how the device is built for the demanding environments typical of ride vehicles: "It's all been designed for proper vibration, high heat, and high humidity. I was looking at some of the heat specs today and thinking, 'Yeah, even in the sunshine in California, we're not going to have a problem.'" He emphasises that the DC Rider is no ordinary amplifier: "This is a proper automotive bit of kit that will stand the test of time."
Beyond physical demands, the DC Rider provides audio engineers with the flexibility needed to achieve complex soundscapes. "It's got onboard DSP, so you've got limiters, and you've got EQ, and you can do programming," says Bland. "You get power-sharing too, so you have enough power available." This power-sharing feature is essential for running various speaker types, from standard loudspeakers to haptic devices, off a single amplifier.
Cutting-Edge Tech for a Seamless Experience
The DC Rider incorporates Powersoft's signature energy-saving technology, reducing the strain on power sources such as batteries or supercapacitors. "We're not trying to run crazy amounts of current over huge spikes through the systems," says Bland. "We've got technology that sorts that out for us." Maximising energy efficiency, the DC Rider ensures reliable, long-lasting performance â a necessity in theme parks, where maintenance windows can be limited, and downtime is costly.
Howie elaborates on the target audience for the DC Rider, explaining how Powersoft has developed the product with the entire attractions ecosystem in mind. "It's targeted for the industry and all the players involved, from the ride manufacturers to the theme park operators," he says. "When it comes to ride innovation, the industry has raised the bar, and everyone wants to be more immersive and efficient. We've checked all the boxes, so we can cater to and position it for the theme parks, ride manufacturers, and consultants."
"If we make the best amplifier in the world that does the most awesome immersive things, but you can't put it inside a ride vehicle, nobody will buy it," adds Bland. "So, it's essential to consider what ride manufacturers care about. You know, they care about heat, they care about size, they care about weight. The DC Rider is super light and small."
Flexibility and Adaptability with Powersoft's DC Rider
One of the standout features of Powersoft's DC Rider is its versatility and ease of integration into existing systems. Bland discusses the importance of providing a flexible tool that can fit seamlessly into various configurations:
"We knew we also needed to create something that works for the engineers that are implementing it. For example, there's no point having just one way of interfacing with it," he says. "It's got two network connections on the back, so you can either daisy chain things or separate your control and audio data signals into the two different ports."
This adaptability means the DC Rider can serve the diverse needs of various venues, enabling designers to create cohesive, immersive soundscapes with minimal technical limitations.
In addition to providing a robust, high-quality audio experience, the DC Rider allows for nuanced sound control, making it ideal for dark rides where precise timing is essential to creating a compelling narrative. According to Bland, "You can drive tiny haptic devices that can just do a little buzz on the back of your shoulder, that sort of stuff, all from the same amplifier." The ability to run multiple speaker types from a single unit enhances the sensory depth of attractions, ensuring that every detail aligns with the story.
Enhanced Audio, Cohesive Storytelling
Integrating the DC Rider into the attractions industry signals a new era for onboard audio and, ultimately, for immersive experiences. However, in today's competitive landscape, technology has to be as invisible as it is impactful. For example, as Bland says: "For attraction designers, you put all this hard work into it, but if you see a projection blend⦠it spoils the experience. You don't want to be able to see the technology; you want to be lost in that world."
The DC Rider's unobtrusive size and flexible installation options mean that guests will only notice the enhancement to their experience, not the hardware behind it.
This technological leap aligns perfectly with Powersoft's immersive vision for the attractions industry. The company is committed to working with ride manufacturers, theme parks, and consultants to raise the standard across the industry, delivering reliable, immersive technology that enhances guest experiences without interfering with them.
Powersoft has designed the DC Rider â powerful yet compact, innovative yet easy to integrate â to meet the demands of the modern attractions industry and inspire future creations.
Powersoft's DC Rider and the Future of Immersive Experiences
As immersive attractions evolve, so does the technology that supports them. Powersoft's DC Rider is more than just an amplifier; it's a leap forward in the capabilities of onboard audio systems and an essential tool for industry professionals seeking to push the boundaries of guest engagement.
Howie sees the industry as "moving towards creating this total immersive world where you can lose yourself," and Powersoft is at the forefront, enabling experiences that once seemed out of reach.
From its durability in harsh conditions to its flexible design, the DC Rider reflects Powersoft's commitment to quality and innovation. It empowers creators to design attractions that resonate more deeply with their audiences and bring stories to life in unprecedented ways.
Attendees at IAAPA Expo 2024 can meet Thomas Howie to learn more about the DC Rider and discover how Powersoft's solutions can elevate their experiences.
