Acoustics of Art: Excellence in Indonesian Musical Theatre

Customer Profile
Teater Musikal Nusantara (TEMAN) is a premier Indonesian theatre and live entertainment company, founded in 2018. Specializing in Broadway-quality musical theatre and live performances, TEMAN is renowned for its innovative and collaborative productions. Their repertoire includes acclaimed performances such as Into The Woods (2018), HAIRSPRAY (2019), RENT (2022), and the original adaptation of GIE (2022).
In addition to theatre, TEMAN expands its creative endeavors into film and television, producing series like the Siti Nurbaya and Payung Fantasi musicals. TEMAN also offers theme park consultation and production services through THEMECRAFT Entertainment Studio, further showcasing their versatile expertise and dedication to the arts.
In July 2024, coinciding with the school holiday season, TEMAN collaborated with Visinema to bring the beloved Indonesian family story "Keluarga Cemara" to the stage in a musical adaptation. Over the course of nearly a month, the production featured 30 performances, captivating audiences with its heartwarming narrative and high-quality staging.
Challenge
Every TEMAN production presents its own unique set of challenges, but Keluarga Cemara: The Musical stood out due to its ambitious scale and duration. Unlike typical theatre runs of 3–4 days, this production spanned approximately 24 days with 30 performances, each lasting 2.5 hours. The show featured a cast of 29 performers, creating significant demands on both the performers and the technical setup.
The production required microphones that could withstand sweat and deliver consistently clear audio without the need for excessive vocal projection. Additionally, with frequent costume changes, the performers needed compact and comfortable bodypacks that would not interfere with sound quality or performance. The wireless system also had to be reliable enough to handle long-term use over an extended performance schedule.
Solution
To address these challenges, Keluarga Cemara: The Musical employed the Shure Axient Digital ecosystem, which provided unparalleled audio quality, reliability, and flexibility. The cast used Shure ADX1M bodypacks, which were ideal for performers with frequent costume changes due to their compact design and sweat-resistant features. These were combined with other Shure ADX1 and AD1 bodypacks to ensure durability and high-quality audio transmission. For the lavalier microphones, the TwinPlex TL47 was selected for its elasticity, sweat resistance, and natural sound reproduction, making it perfect for the dynamic demands of musical theatre.
Given the large number of channels required, the production used Shure AD4Q and AD4D multi-channel receivers to minimize space while supporting the high channel count. To ensure optimal performance, the system was managed with the Shure AD600 Spectrum Manager and AD610 ShowLink Access Point, which enabled precise frequency coordination and real-time monitoring. The UA844 Antenna Distribution System and UA874 Directional Antennas were also utilized to maintain stable wireless performance.
Additionally, the integration of Shure Wireless Workbench 7 (WWB7) software provided seamless frequency management and interference resolution. Engineers could make quick adjustments without interrupting the performance, ensuring that the audio system remained flawless throughout the entire run.
Advantages
The Shure Axient Digital ecosystem provided several significant advantages, underpinning the success of Keluarga Cemara: The Musical. The use of Shure's Wireless Workbench 7 (WWB7) allowed engineers to manage and monitor the audio system with remarkable ease and precision. WWB7's advanced features for real-time frequency coordination and interference detection eliminated the need for performers to return backstage for resynchronization, ensuring seamless transitions and uninterrupted performances.
WWB7's comprehensive frequency management capabilities enabled the technical team to deploy spectrum-efficient frequencies, mitigating the risk of interference. Real-time alerts for potential issues and the ability to instantly modify frequencies ensured the production maintained impeccable audio quality throughout each performance. The entire audio system was monitored and controlled from a single computer, streamlining operations for the technical team. WWB7's intuitive interface and robust control functionalities allowed for rapid adjustments and comprehensive device management, significantly simplifying the technical workflow.
The lightweight and sweat-resistant bodypacks and TwinPlex lavalier microphones performers’ comfort while providing consistent, high-quality audio. These microphones, combined with the Axient Digital receivers’ superior RF performance and advanced digital radio technology, delivered crystal-clear sound, elevating the audience experience to Broadway standards.
By leveraging the Shure Axient Digital ecosystem, Keluarga Cemara: The Musical not only overcame its challenges but also set a new benchmark for audio excellence in Indonesian musical theatre. The Axient Digital system provided industry-leading audio quality, robust signal stability, and flexible frequency management. Key features such as its advanced digital radio technology, wide tuning bandwidth, and impeccable sound clarity were pivotal in ensuring uninterrupted and pristine audio throughout the performances.