< PreviousJuly 202020featuresCultuur Centrum Brugge Makes Major Investment in Yamaha Mixing ConsolesThe 150 year old Koningklijke Stadschouwburg (Royal City Theatre) is the largest and most prestigious of five venues managed by Cultuur Centrum Brugge (CC Brugge) in the historic Belgian city. In late 2019 the organisation invested heavily in new Yamaha digital mixing systems for all venues, with eight CL and QL series digital mixing consoles, associated I/O racks and Ethernet switches installed on brand new Dante networks.Opened in 1869, the 700-seat Koninklijke Stadschouwburg was originally designed as an elite temple of culture. Nowadays, together with the Magdalenazaal, De Biekorf, Daverlo and De Dijk theatres, it welcomes a diverse audience to a variety of modern theatre, live music, dance, seminars, movies, presentations and much more.Philip Van Loo of PVL Sound & Light BV is a long-time supplier, consultant and project manager for CC Brugge. He introduced the organisation to Yamaha digital mixers many years ago with two 01V96i consoles. They was so successful that CC Brugge later invested in three Yamaha M7CL-48 digital mixers, which used the existing analogue infrastructure already installed in the venues.All five of the Yamaha consoles have proved extremely reliable but, after extensive use for many years, CC Brugge wanted to modernise the audio systems and make the venues future-proof.Philip Van Loo was again asked to advise on the project, recommending the installation of a Dante audio infrastructure in each venue because it was reliable, easy to install and manage, and flexible. An important factor was the amount of equipment available that speaks Dante, giving the CC Brugge technical team the confidence that the investment would yield a long-term return.After extensive market research and consultation, the CC Brugge technical team unanimously agreed that Yamaha was again the best mixing solution.“We have never had any issues or downtime with the existing Yamaha consoles,” say CC Brugge’s Patrick Maipauw. “Because we were looking to install a future-proof system, we wanted to expand our console portfolio with products that natively ‘talked Dante’, had pristine sound quality, were reliable and easy to use. We did some demonstrations and quickly came to conclusion that the only choice was Yamaha.”All five CC Brugge venues were given a major upgrade, with Koningklijke Stadschouwburg, Magdalenazaal and Daverlo each receiving CL5 and QL1 digital consoles, Rio3224-D2 and Rio1608-D2 I/O racks and an SWP1-8 L2 network switch. A QL1 console, Rio1608-D2 and SWP1-8 were installed at De Biekorf, with a QL1 console added to De Dijk.Highlighting the exceptional return on investment provided by Yamaha technology, all of the existing M7CL-48 and 01V96i digital consoles are still working perfectly. They were all retained, with Dante network cards allowing them to work seamlessly with the new systems.“This is a great example of how to update the audio infrastructure of live venues,” says Philip. “The QL1s can easily be moved for added flexibility and, now that Dante is installed in all the venues, future expansion will be much more straightforward, with a wide range of equipment and options to chose from.“CC Brugge also has the reassurance that the mixing systems deliver consistent, high quality sound, with absolute reliability.” photo: Johan VanparysIssue: 329features21Elation and ADJ light German Drive-In Concert SeriesGermany – One of the more pressing questions this industry has had throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is how can to safely present a staged event to a live audience. DRIVE.IN Concerts of Monheim, Germany has come up with one concept, a solution that allows music fans of the area to attend a live concert again.DRIVE.IN Concerts Monheim is a pioneering series of events in which the crowd park their cars in front of the stage just like at a drive-in movie. Running throughout May and into June, with a variety of live acts and DJs performing, the concert series features an impressive stage set-up that relies on Elation Professional and ADJ lighting fixtures.DRIVE.IN Concerts Monheim kicked off in early May with a live performance by Cologne-based rock band Kasalla as part of their ‘Et Jitt Car-Salla’ tour of drive-in concerts. Since then, most weekends have seen two or three concerts taking place at the outdoor site, featuring artists such as DJ Quicksilver, Da Hool, Moguai, TOPIC and The Disco Boys. Currently, dates are planned running up to June 7th, with future performers set to include electronic acts Fiasko and YouNotUs, as well as local folk band Klüngelköpp.The spectacular festival-style light show, supplied by local audio/visual production company LaserFrame, consists of Elation fixtures, alongside others from sister-brand ADJ. The on stage wash moving head chosen for the rig is Elation’s compact Rayzor 360Z LED beam/wash moving effect with three 60W RGBW LEDs, 8 to 77-degree zoom and continuous pan and tilt rotation. The front of the stage is lined with a combination of Elation Chorus Line 16 motorized pixel bars and Proteus Rayzor 760 IP65-rated wash fixtures that feature Elation’s proprietary SparkLED background sparkle illumination system. Finally, blinder duties are taken care of by Elation Cuepix Blinder WW2s.A like number of ADJ lights populate the rig including Focus Spot 4Z spot luminaires hung from the roof of the stage for gobo projections and mid-air effects, compact Vizi Beam RXONE fixtures on floor-standing truss for super narrow beams, award-winning Hydro Wash X7 moving head wash fixtures downstage for tight beams, washes or eye candy effects and Encore FR150 wash fixtures for illumination of performers. The lighting is enhanced by an even coverage of dispersed fog generated by portable ADJ Entour Faze Jr machines.photos: Julian Hukewww.elationlighting.comJuly 202022featuresLPD and Elation support tradition of excellence at Irkutsk Academic Drama TheatreRussia’s rich cultural tradition extends far outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg and across this immense country. Despite its relative solitude in Russia’s vast Siberian region, the city of Irkutsk is a thriving seat of culture that embodies all the best of Russia’s storied theatre tradition.Irkutsk boasts an impressive number of theatres and Irkutsk Academic Drama Theatre of N.P. Okhlopkov, the oldest theatre in Eastern Siberia and the cultural hub of the region, epitomises that artistic vitality. Founded in 1850 and currently celebrating 170 years as a cultural institution, the theatre recently worked with Light Power Design (LPD) to upgrade its stage lighting to a state-of-the-art automated lighting system from Elation Professional with lighting control consoles from Obsidian Control Systems.Irkutsk Academic Drama Theatre has a tradition of high technical excellence and the theatre nurtures a new generation of theatregoers by constantly searching for a more modern means of communication with its audience. To that end, the possibilities inherent in visuals that are more dynamic were essential and provided the impetus for LPD to undertake a full modernisation of the theatre’s lighting system.Established in 1986, LPD focuses on sales and installation of professional lighting and sound equipment and has served as Elation’s Russian distributor for several years, enjoying exclusive distributorship since 2019. The company completed a full lighting and control design for the drama theatre encompassing nearly 200 Elation lighting fixtures – nearly all of them LED – with control from innovative Obsidian Control Systems lighting consoles.“We are always looking for modern, high quality and innovative products and technologies and therefore our decision to invest in Elation wasn’t accidental,” commented Mikhail Morozov, managing director at LPD. “The management of the theatre was looking for a very modern solution based on LED technology and at the same time fixtures with a perfect colour mixing system and very silent.” It was also important, he adds, that the fixtures were very reliable and backed by a warranty. “Elation’s five-year warranty on the LED engine is a big benefit, especially because the main product specified for this installation was the Artiste Picasso as an LED-based workhorse fixture.”Elation’s award-winning Artiste series of theatrical-grade LED moving heads makes up a key component of the new lighting system. Used as a key light as well as an effects fixture are some 74 Artiste Picasso. “The Picasso is the main fixture in the rig, used for everything and from everywhere,” says Morozov of the 23,000-lumen LED framing profile. “And thanks to its perfect colour mixing, gobos and animation wheel there are no limitations!”With the venue being used for more than just traditional plays – concerts, musicals and theatre festivals, for example – and many of the performances filmed, on-camera flicker was an issue that was taken into consideration. “Flickering can be a problem when LED fixtures and high-speed cameras work together but the Picasso has a variable refresh rate that can be set at whatever level is needed to eliminate that,” Morozov said. “We were also happy to see that when set at higher refresh rates the dimming and colour weren’t influenced negatively.”A half dozen Artiste Monet luminaires, a 45,000-lumen LED profile with innovative SpectraColor colour mixing system, move around the rig depending on the performance, used mostly as colourful keylighting but also for effects. “Thanks to its framing system with unlimited indexing and continuous rotation it can be installed anywhere and used as just a profile fixture for some scenes. With the advanced SpectraColor colour mixing and CTO there are no limits in creativity,” states Morozov. SpectraColor is unique in that it combines CMY colour mixing with RGB flags and variable CTO. Particularly valued by designers as it produces colour combinations that have traditionally been hard for LED luminaires to achieve, it has been singled out as exceptional innovation by several industry award bodies.The new lighting system is comprehensive and also includes Platinum Seven and Platinum 1200 LED wash moving heads installed above the stage with Chorus Line 16 pixel bar wash luminaires moving locations depending on the performance. Fuze Par Z175 fixtures with RGBW COB LED engine and classic lens look of a traditional Fresnel provide colour wash from both sides of the stage while Colour 5 Profiles, a high-quality ellipsoidal spot with RGBAM LED engine and CRI over 94, work from both sides of the stage and balconies. Multi-functional Smarty Hybrid CMY colour mixing moving heads, the only non-LED lighting fixture in the rig yet with highly efficient 6,000-hour lamp, and SixPar 300 Par lights, round out the lighting package.When time came to consider lighting control, the venue stayed in-house, choosing a pair of Obsidian Control Systems consoles, a full-scale Obsidian M6 and a compact yet fully integrated Obsidian NX 2. With what is arguably the broadest line of entertainment lighting fixtures on the market, with a line of professional controllers and atmospheric effects besides, Elation makes it easy for venues to fulfil their needs as a one-stop shop. “I think it’s important to mention that one of the reasons they went with Elation was the ease in dealing with one supplier,” Morozov says. “ It made sense to look at Obsidian for the control solution. They are professional quality and at the same time easy to use. They are powerful consoles but also very budget friendly and were a good fit for the theatre.”Today, Academic Drama Theatre is one of Russia’s best in terms of technical equipment and stands as the first professional drama theatre in the country to be fully equipped with LED lighting from a single brand. Morozov sums up: “We are confident of our future success since the quality and technologies of Elation products can easily compete with any well-known manufacturer of lighting equipment and in many cases exceed them.”www.elationlighting.comIssue: 329features23Absen’s LED Helps Boost Production Value of Webinars and Virtual Events with Sterling’s Virtual StudioTechnical event production company Sterling Event Group has created Sterling Studio, a Manchester-based studio space designed to boost the production value of webinars and other virtual events, over video conferencing and online meeting platforms such as Zoom, Go To Meeting, Skype and Webex. The studio, supported by UK distributor PSCo, boasts an impressive digital backdrop from LED display manufacturer Absen.The idea to create a studio dedicated to virtual events was curated before the Covid-19 lockdown, just as the need for an events space with the capacity for high production quality was rising; a need that has only increased since.“The studio space allows us to use our rental equipment and create a space for users to virtually present to their audience using state of the art technologies, without the obvious limitations that come with presenting from home,” said Dan Charmer, director of Sterling Event Group. This facility is also a fantastic tool for companies who don’t want to invest in, or have the required space or equipment to record and broadcast such presentations.The 230sqm black box space offers a variety of features designed to not only provide presenters with creative freedom, but also to maintain current UK social distancing requirements. The space boasts an 11m wide stage, along with a 3.6 metre circular podium where presenters can easily maintain the appropriate social distance, fully kitted with a professional lighting and audio system, including digital mixing consoles and stage monitor speakers.Snaking around the back of the stage is a 16 x 3 metre curved LED screen providing a dynamic backdrop to set the scene for any event. The screen is made up of Absen’s Polaris 2.5mm Pro – part of the multi-award-winning Polaris rental series – which has been specifically created for indoor use, offering 1200 nits high brightness, superior contrast and high precision pixel alignment. The screen is well suited for a multitude of uses, such as Sterling Studio, which uses the LED screen to simultaneously display presentations, social media feeds, branding and custom backgrounds in sharp 18bit+ image processing.“The screen is paramount to the studio: the sharpness and contrast of the image are key elements to the impact we were looking to create,” commented Charmer. “The Polaris series offers what we need for this project mechanically and, more importantly, visually over our existing [Absen] A3 Pro. The compatibility of the hardware across the range was also a big advantage when adding it to the rental fleet.”The Polaris 2.5mm Pro panels feature an integrated curved locking system, allowing for convex (-7.5˚) or concave (+10˚) shapes to be modelled as needed to further improve the striking visual effect, as well as round, square or triangle panel shapes. The 9.6kg model also boasts simple and quick assembly, something which Charmer and his team used to their advantage.“A small team of technicians installed the screen without any help or guidance, and found it to be a simple, stress free installation,” Charmer said.The screen is driven by Avolites Ai Media servers, which provides large format backdrops for use during virtual events. All signals are routed through a Barco E2 switching system, which is also routing content down to four 65-inch stage monitors within the studio space, made available to the presenters and their team. These are thoroughly cleaned after every use, along with the other equipment available.“We wanted to create a safe, hygienic space that encompassed the high production value and set design, whilst ensuring the opportunity for engagement with audiences for our clients in a more visually impactful way,” Charmer said. “We do not know what the future holds, but for now we know we have provided the standard our clients have come to expect from us with the assistance of PSCo and Absen.”July 202024featuresDüsseldorf Schauspielhaus Expands Optocore/Broaman NetworkThe Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus theatre has extended its long relationship with Optocore, in order to keep pace with evolving technology. In the case of such a formidable, multi-space complex as this, an agile digital infrastructure, with multiple routing options and interconnectivity, is essential. To maintain this, the theatre has upgraded the original Optocore analogue network, installed in 2011, to an advanced and future-proof system.The latest integration, undertaken by Amptown System Company GmbH (ASC), was overseen by the Theatre’s tonmeister (and deputy head of sound), Torben Kärst, who designed the audio system, working alongside head of department, Peer Seuken, and video specialist, Tim Deckers. This has seen the installation of Optocore M-series MADI boxes in both the 800-seat main theatre and 350-seat studio theatre, with an Optocore AutoRouter installed in the latter. “The installation was about achieving increased routing options, better sound quality, an increased channel count and greater flexibility,” stated Kärst.All locations in the main building of this three-building complex (including foyer, rehearsal stage and recording studio) are now connected by MADI.“In terms of transmission it was mandatory to keep system latency as low as possible,” Torben Kärst continued. “This is where Optocore is absolutely the market leader. Reliability and small form factor of the devices, enabling large decentralised systems to be built, are further reasons why Optocore was the choice for us.”From the original proposal for a stand-alone Optocore system for the smaller studio theatre came the possibility of exchanging audio signals between both the larger and smaller theatres. “The biggest leap forward was when we decided to centralise our entire wireless system,” states Kärst, explaining the process. “Since then, we have been able to send audio signals across the whole building.” Crucially, this third house loop, complementing the Optocore/DiGiCo loops in both the large and small venues, proved to be a much simpler but more powerful version of the original design.The integration now features an Optocore AutoRouter, multiple MADI devices, connected to the DiGiCo system and Optocore’s new sample rate converter. “It is the centre point of the house loop,” Kärst confirms. “With this device, we distribute our 56 radio mics and feed the 16 IEM devices. It’s also the clock master of the whole audio system.”Another major leap forward has been the installation of an Optocore AutoRouter in the smaller theatre. “With AutoRouter there is no need for patch cables to close a loop, as this is now done automatically. Each connection point on stage is connected to the AutoRouter as well as the permanent devices as a loop and our DiGiCo console. Connecting the console separately, and not as part of the permanent loop, provides us the possibility to power off the console and check the optical status of the system using the Optocore control software. So we are able the see the RX and TX power of each transceiver in the system, which makes troubleshooting much easier.”At the same time, the theatre’s tech team had kept abreast of developments with Optocore partner company, BroaMan. As a result, three BroaMan Repeat48 devices have now been deployed for video distribution. It was Torben Kärst’s task to ensure full integration and interconnection between audio and video.Summing up the value of this upgrade, he is unequivocal. “For the small venue, we now have an increased channel count with fixed installed connection points spread all over the hall. This includes mic/line inputs, line outputs, loudspeaker outputs, video I/O as well as sufficient Cat7 and fibre ports, and that creates an awful lot of flexibility.”And the by-product of these efficiencies is faster change-over and set-up procedures, in turn enabling longer time for rehearsal, much to the delight of incoming production crews.Issue: 329features25TFG delivers brighter AV solution for Royal Society of ChemistryTorpedo Factory Group has upgraded the audio-visual system at the London headquarters of the Royal Society of Chemistry, one of the UK’s oldest professional scientific associations, established in the mid-19th century with the goal of advancing the chemical sciences.Burlington House, Mayfair, has been the RSC’s residence since 1857, and is famed for its historic library that not only houses a world-class collection of scientific journals but is also a leading event venue with a unique location in central London.Key to the Library’s attraction as a venue – prized by users for seminars, conferences, lectures, award ceremonies and private functions – is its integrated audio-visual facilities and, taking an opportunity to benefit from the latest technological natural choice for this upgrade, and we trusted from experience that a new project would be completed quickly and efficiently. Previously we were having issues with dead spots and feedback due to the placement of the speakers, and decided that we needed a radically different solution.“Essentially we were looking for better sound quality because audio technology pushes strongly forwards year to year, and to go with that we wanted to offer an enhanced visual experience for our guests,” he explained. “Ease of use was also a key factor, and to aid that we were looking to control all the user functions from a mobile device such as a tablet.”“We’re very satisfied with what TFG has achieved, and we’re especially pleased with the convenience of being able to operate the whole AV system remotely with an iPad,” stated Grant Verrell, Head of RSC Facilities team.Project manager Mark Solomons led the TFG installation team, renewing a variety of key components, adding new connectivity and programming the new systems to precisely meet client requirements along with four new HD screens. The building’s Grade II listed status precluded wall mounting the K-array speakers, and so custom floor stands were fabricated to house two Rumble-KU26 subwoofers and the one-metre high Viper-KV52 line arrays. A new cutting edge ceiling mounted projector provides a large bright image with high resolution clarity, the cutting edge laser light projector specified by TFG producing 12,000 lumens which gives excellent contrast even in daylight conditions.“TFG gave us exceptional service throughout the project,” Verrell concluded. “Mark and the TFG team kept us informed at every stage, and nothing was too much trouble for them. We’re very satisfied with what they’ve achieved. Sound quality is second to none from such tiny speakers that you can barely see, and we’re especially pleased with the convenience of being able to operate the whole AV remotely system with an iPad – before we would be back and forth to the control room to check and rectify any issues and adjustments. It’s a real step forward.”advancements, the RSC decided this year to upgrade its systems in order to provide better coverage and improved intelligibility to meet the growing requirements of its many clients.In consultation with Torpedo Factory Group (TFG), the RSC technical team, headed by Grant Verrel, discussed options for global connectivity since, amongst the many in-person activities hosted in the Library such as Q&A sessions and product launches, live streaming has become a popular component that clients are requesting.The new AV system replaces one previously installed by TFG, which had served them well. “We’ve had a long and excellent relationship with TFG,” said Verrell. “Since they were intimately familiar with our existing equipment they were the July 202026featuresPWL Launches Virtual Event StudioLeading lighting, visuals, show and production design practice Painting with Light (PWL) has opened a new Virtual Event Studio, in partnership with NEP Belgium, at its C-MINE HQ in Genk, offering a slick streaming production and broadcast facility including full virtual audience interactivity to deliver the highest quality digital events.Based on a model created by Univate in The Netherlands, the new PWL Studio space offers an innovative and creative approach for staging virtual events of all types, from keynote speeches, corporate meetings and presentations to brand activations, product launches and conferences to seminars to album launches, parties and live music streams.The project is a response to the massive increase in demand for streamed, ‘delivered-live’ and recorded events and content to expand reach and visibility in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and new social distancing rules and guidelines.The 10 x 19 metre recording area is fully equipped with the professional audio and broadcast technologies empowered by NEP Belgium and the latest LED lighting technologies from Luxibel, together with moving lights from Chauvet and Robe.While fully customisable to client needs, for versatility, speed and efficient operation, several pre-designed event stages and spaces are also available embracing different styles and occasions, each of which can be individually branded to make every event eye-catching and distinctive. Additionally, 3D assets and the design of any physical event, studio, trade show booth, etc., can be imported from a CAD file and replicated, integrating the client’s own environment and product design files into the space for ultimate flexibility.The Virtual Event Studio dynamics are enhanced with a real high resolution 3 x 3 metre LED wall made up from 3.9mm Unilumin Utile product. The big benefit of this is it removes the need to chroma-key the presenter and put them in front of a virtual background, resulting in a higher quality end result and better visual coherence. While the other screens in the event are all virtual, several smaller physical screens in the studio allow presenters to see and review the content on both real and virtual surfaces. A complete video floor below the presenter stage adds further visual dynamics and looks cool in overhead shots.The standard five-channel camera system comprises a GV LDX 86 4K unit fitted with a 14mm zoom lens and four Panasonic HE130 PTZs fitted with standard lenses, all mixed via a Grass Valley Korona switcher.Through the Virtual Event Studio’s unique live interaction functionality, the online audience can be streamed individually on to the virtual backscreen so the presenter can answer questions and engage in conversations ‘face-to-face’. Audiences can be invited and join in via an assortment of different video conferencing platforms and be there ‘virtually’! They are gathered in front of the stage as live video thumbnails on the live steam and shown on a large projection screen in the studio so the presenter can feel their presence, and attendees can see the complete audience, just like a physical event!The audio set up includes a Yamaha QL1 audio mixer, DPA and Shure mics (sanitised after each use and supplied to each person in individually sealed plastic wraps) with four L-Acoustics 108P speakers in the studio.Custom soundscapes, music tracks and effects can also be produced for events as part of the package, or the clients can use their own. As PWL is both an architectural and an entertainment lighting specialist, serious detail has gone into specifying a lighting rig offering each production extensive tools.An adaptable lighting rig includes Luxibel B Panel 240CW cold white panels with barndoors, picked for features like the high CRI of 96 for perfect flesh tones, and because it’s among the best fixtures for green screening and chroma-key work. It can be dimmed manually or via DMX, and this plus all the other lights in the studio are controlled through a grandMA3 console.The control room, a separate area where all crew can work at least 1.5 metres apart and meet all the social distancing guidelines, features a Barco E2 image processor and two disguise d3 media server for creating sophisticated motion graphics and sending video content and live camera feeds to the remote and virtual screens. A selection of laptops is available for PowerPoints and KeyNotes. The control room has its own supplies for sanitising hands and surfaces, and the entire space has been developed with the foresight of providing a safe working environment and Covid-19 regulation compliance in mind.The virtual studio live recording output is an industry-standard 16:9 HD video feed which can be streamed to popular video platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and Twitter, each of which has their own native interaction capabilities.On request, clients can order a custom landing page with all advanced networking features assembled in a virtual lobby room. For events with smaller or private audiences, feeds can be streamed to video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype.The interest and take-up has been swift so far, with events for IMEC Belgium, C-Mine Crib and the Agoria Entertainment & Sports Technology Club being among the first to benefit, bringing another new dimension to Painting with Light for both present and future.Marc Convents, sales director from NEP Belgium, stated: “We’re delighted to join forces with PWL for these new ‘mixed reality’ events which are likely to be part of our future ‘normal’. Both NEP Belgium and Painting with Light work in complementary segments of the events industry and we look forward to a rewarding and successful working relationship.”photos: Painting with LightIssue: 329features27L-Acoustics Syva resolves audio challenges for Åbo Svenska TeaterÅbo Svenska Teater, a Swedish speaking theatre in the heart of Turku, is the oldest still functioning theatre in Finland. Exuding 19th century glamour, the venue is known for hosting high-end plays and musicals such as Les Misérables, Hair, and The Rocky Horror Show. This April, the theatre’s audio system was brought bang up-to-date with the installation of L-Acoustics Syva, which has solved the theatre’s complex acoustical challenges.The system was delivered in March and originally scheduled for installation in May. However, when the theatre was shuttered and all performances cancelled due to the pandemic, it was decided to use the hiatus productively and install the system ahead of time, made possible by the theatre’s team performing the installation themselves.Pauli Molnár of L-Acoustics certified provider distributor, Audico, has a long history with the theatre. In 1991, he had worked there as a followspot operator and assistant to the lighting designer. “I got to know the team there very well and I had known the sound guys even before that,” he says. “The same two guys, Olli-Pekka Lepovouri and Jouni Haavisto, have worked there ever since.”In Autumn, Lepovouri and Haavisto approached Molnár with the challenge of upgrading their existing PA system. They knew they had a challenge of combining aesthetic of the the Mozart-era architecture with modern technology, and the visual aspect of the system was as important to the team as the electronic and acoustical properties of the sound system. They had already heard about L-Acoustics Syva, and were interested by its exceptional sound and remarkably fluid form.“They follow the current trends and knew that Syva ticked a lot of boxes,” Molnár continues. “When we demoed the system, they liked every aspect of Syva so much they decided to base their new system around it.”The 500-seat auditorium comprises stalls and two balconies. Syva, with its DOSC waveguides, J-shaped progressive curvature and +5 and -21 degree dispersion, which is optimised for ultra-wide horizontal coverage with extended throw capability, provided the ideal solution. Three separate stereo pairs of Syva were installed, each pair addressing a separate layer of the audience, along with a single central sub, the configuration providing consistent coverage for the entire area.X4i provide front fill – attached invisibly to the front of the stage lip – and additional fill for the sides. Two further X4i sit under the second balcony to provide fill for the first balcony. Two Syva low are hung centrally from the proscenium. The entire system is driven by three LA4X amplifier controllers.The theatre’s metal workshop built custom brackets, which were attached to a bar on the proscenium that allows adjustment for height and azimuth angle. The bottom Syva is positioned to avoid the balcony overhang, as there are hard reflecting walls which create extremely difficult acoustics.“The theatre’s auditorium has a very challenging geometry,” says Molnár. “It’s like a parabolic reflector. This has always made things really difficult because, no matter at what angle you approach the audience, the audio will always hit the walls and come back to the audience in the middle of the stalls. In the end, we identified one unique position for the bottom two Syva, which allows for even coverage without exciting the façade of the balcony.”By avoiding the balcony overhang and positioning this particular Syva under the box, a much better result was achieved.“There are still reflections present, but they are much more controlled than before,” says Molnár. “The high frequencies don’t interact at all between the stalls and the balconies. During the calibration process it became clear that the balconies are all listening to their own system, which is exactly what we wanted. The central woofer takes care of the low end all round.”The theatre is scheduled to resume rehearsals in July in anticipation of a new show in August.“The team at Åbo Svenska Teater is extremely pleased with their new sound system,” concludes Molnár. “They are currently prepping to re-open the venue to the public in September and cannot wait to share the improved experience with performers and audiences.”July 2020web directory285 Star CasesTel: +44 (0)845 5000 555www.5star-cases.comAC Entertainment Technologies LtdTel: +44 (0)1494 446000www.ac-et.comAmbersphere SolutionsTel: +44 (0)20 8992 6369www.ambersphere.co.ukAndoliteTel: +44 (0)1264 356445www.andolite.co.ukArea Four IndustriesTel: +44 (0)1945 410700www.areafourindustries.co.ukAurora Lighting Hire Tel: +44 (0)20 8813 2777www.auroratv.co.ukAvolites Tel: +44 (0)20 8965 8522www.avolites.comTo be listed here e-mail editor@etnow.comor call 01223 550805 for details of our on-line and magazine advertising packageBackstage WarehouseTel: +44 (0)20 8123 5412www.backstagewarehouse.ukBoseTel: +44 (0)3330 142545 www.pro.bose.comBrompton Technology LtdTel: +44 (0)20 7471 9444 www.bromptontech.comClaypakyTel: +39 (0)35 654311www.claypaky.itColumbus McKinnonTel: +44 (0)1244 375375www.cm-et.comCPLTel: +44 (0)1926 484609www.cpl.techCreative Technology LtdTel: +44 (0)1293 582000www.ctlondon.comDeSisti Lighting UKTel: +44 07785 233073www.desisti.itDigico UK LtdTel: +44 (0)1372 845600www.digiconsoles.comDoughty EngineeringTel: +44 (0)1425 478961www.doughty-engineering.co.ukElation ProfessionalTel: +31 (0)455 468566www.elationlighting.euELC LightingTel: +41 (0)79 210 4613www.elclighting.comETCTel: +44 (0)20 8896 1000www.etcconnect.comEXE TechnologyTel: +39 (0)422 997300 UK: +44 (0)1945 410700www.exetechnology.comENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGYIssue: 329web directory29Flint InsuranceTel: +44 (0)208 309 3418www.flintinsurance.co.ukGDSTel: +44 (0)117 325 0063www.gds.uk.comGLP German Light ProductsTel: +44 7974 444297www.glp.deGreen-GoTel: +41 (0)79 210 4613www.greengocom.comHawthorn Tel: +44 (0)1664 821111www.hawthorn.biz HazebaseTel: +49 (0)5130 371005www.hazebase.comHighlite UKTel: +44 (0)1249 819494www.highlite.comIgus (UK) LtdTel: +44 (0)1604 677240www.igus.co.ukJ&C JoelTel: +44 (0)1422 833835www.jcjoel.co.ukJames Thomas EngineeringTel: +39 (0)422 997300 / +44 (0)1945 410700www.jthomaseng.euTo be listed here e-mail editor@etnow.comor call 01223 550805 for details of our on-line and magazine advertising packageLee FiltersTel: +44 (0)1264 366245www.leefilters.comLDRTel: +39 0376 771777www.ldr.itLitecTel: +39 (0)422 997300 UK: +44 (0)1945 410700www.litectruss.comLTM+44 (0)151 649 0467www.liftturnmove.com Register forKeep up to date by signing upat www.etnow.com/etexpressWeekly News HeadlinesMA LightingTel: +49 (0)5251 6888 6510www.malighting.comMartin Professional Tel: +44 (0)20 7084 5396www.martin.comMilosTel: +42 (0)4168 37846 UK: +44 (0)1945 410700www.milossystems.comMulti-Lite (UK) LimitedTel: +44 (0)20 8561 4501www.multi-lite.comNorthern LightTel: +44 (0)131 622 9100www.northernlight.co.ukPenn ElcomTel: +44 (0)1424 429641www.pennelcomonline.comNext >