Preparing The Muny for its 106th Season: A Summary by Meyer Sound
The Muny, America's Oldest and Largest Outdoor Musical Theater, has undergone significant improvements to its sound system, marking a major advancement in the venue's audio quality. Scott Kalata, the Masque Sound project manager for The Muny's audio system, has overseen the installation of a state-of-the-art sound system featuring Meyer Sound PANTHER large-format linear line array loudspeakers.
The PANTHER system, specified by John Shivers and David Patridge, resident co-sound designers at The Muny, offers unprecedented clarity and impact for the creative visions of the sound designers. Leslie Stong, a key member of the Masque Sound team supporting The Muny's audio system, has played a crucial role in the project's success.
The PANTHER system replaced the Meyer Sound LYON and LEOPARD systems used in the venue previously. Collaboration and support from various teams and partners, including Masque Sound and Meyer Sound, have been essential for the success of The Muny's seasons. Bob McCarthy and the team at Meyer Sound's Technical Services department offered valuable advice on the project.
Patridge, Associate Sound Designer Kevin Kennedy, and Production Sound Engineer Josh Hummel, along with season mixers, the entire audio crew at The Muny, Todd Moore (The Muny technical director), other Muny departments heads, and the entire house crew have all collaborated for the success of the season.
The improved detail, wider soundstage, and far-field projection of the PANTHER system have been praised by patrons and non-audio professionals alike. The designers, with the PANTHER loudspeakers, are providing equal sound quality to spectators in free seats at the back and side coverage area as those in premium box seats closer to the stage.
Over the past 10 years, John Shivers and David Patridge have made numerous improvements to The Muny's audio package. The venue's campus has undergone new construction, allowing for a 100% AoIP network using a fiber backbone.
The history of the sound system at St. Louis' The Muny includes ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance its outdoor theater experience. In recent years, The Muny has integrated complementary technologies such as digital mapping projections and LED walls, enhancing the immersive experience for audiences beyond sound alone. For example, the 2025 production of Disney’s Frozen featured both innovative projection technology and enhanced sound, creating a more cinematic and engaging storytelling environment.
In conclusion, The Muny continues to invest significantly in state-of-the-art technology to maintain its status as a premier outdoor theater venue. The installation of the Meyer Sound PANTHER loudspeakers marks a major upgrade to support the venue's large-scale musical productions, offering unprecedented clarity and impact for the creative visions of the sound designers.
The new PANTHER system, featuring advanced technology, offers equal sound quality to all spectators, whether they are seated in premium boxes near the stage or in free seats at the back and sides. The venue's ongoing improvements, such as the installation of the PANTHER loudspeakers, have been instrumental in The Muny's investment in state-of-the-art gadgets and technology.
