Bands move through the Sambadrome lined with powered speakers along the route. Rio’s carnival in Brazil is the largest in the world according to Guinness World Records
Beyond bikinis, beads and feathers - Meeting the challenge of technology in a modern Carnival
Tradition and habit are sometimes difficult to break. However...
There is absolutely no reason for trucks to play such a large role in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, if any.
There are multiple ways to transmit audio content safely and dependably to powered speakers. So why is the antiquated and physically dangerous practice of using large trucks to transport amplification and speakers to provide musical content in very close proximity to the Carnival participants, still in practice?
Maybe the NCC (National Carnival Commission) should simply consider placing an array of powered speakers systems along the carnival route with Bluetooth receptors or better. And allow the bands’ management or DJs to transmit their chosen music to the speakers as they move around the city from their smartphones or laptops with NCC-controlled and issued apps. A somewhat similar audio system is employed at the Sambadrome Parades in Rio, Brazil with an array of speakers along the parade route. Only, the Trinidad system would be a lot less complicated, as the Trinidad revelers do not generate any real contributing audio or musical content to their presentations as compared to the Samba schools who are actually singing and drumming. So concerns about audio cancelation will be at a minimum to non-existent.
One immediate benefit is the ability to control volume levels from a remote location.
And then of course one can follow the bands with drones providing visual feedback, while facilitating extended transmitting range as repeaters. This would be a key component in a state-of-the-art audio visual command center.
For those who are interested in a more detailed technological read on the challenges faced in instituting such a venture, check the “Sounding the Avenue: Deconstructing the Disc/Avenue Dichotomy” - a brief explanation on the technologies and approach used in Brazil’s Sambadrome.
Take a look at the video below to hear and see, how well and successfully this audio technology was implemented in the 2018 Sambadrome parade.
2018 Carnival Parade in the Sambadrome