Canary Islands Venue Sings with Meyer System
| |||||||
IMAGES
|
Situated on a seaside promontory in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium is certainly among the world's most visually striking performance venues. An exhilarating blend of modernistic and Moorish influences (the work of architect Oscar Tusquets), the Auditorium has hosted a full spectrum of touring performances since opening in 1997 — including the elite of international jazz, pop, rock and classical music artists. In recent months, musical acts requiring amplification have received a welcome boost from a new, self-powered reinforcement system by Meyer Sound. Named in honor of a renowned tenor hailing from the island, the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium offers two performance spaces: the 326-seat Chamber Hall and the 1,656-seat Symphonic Hall. The larger hall, which normally hosts the "big name" music acts, has a unique hexagonal shape which provides good acoustic ambience for classical music. However, the acoustics here are not nearly as friendly to amplified music, and the difficulty of providing uniform amplified sound in the hall is further compounded by the different levels and unorthodox orientations of the seating areas. Although the hall offered a house center cluster (suitable primarily for limited voice reinforcement), temporary systems had to be hired for musical acts requiring amplification — systems that too often produced disappointing results. In 2001, the auditorium management and local rental company Technosound approached Meyer Sound Spain and requested a comprehensive assessment of the venue's sound reinforcement needs. Technicians from Meyer Sound brought in a SIM System II FFT Analyzer, evaluated the acoustical environment and, in light of the predominant programming needs, recommended an interim system that could be brought in by Technosound for specific events. That system utilized combinations of UPA-1P Compact Wide Coverage loudspeakers, UPA-2P Compact Narrow Coverage loudspeakers and USW-1P Compact subwoofers. Based on the favorable results achieved by this interim system, the auditorium management asked Technosound to collaborate with Meyer Sound Spain on a more powerful, permanent installation that would be suitable for any type of event in the Symphonic Hall, including rock-oriented acts. The management also requested that the new system be made available on a trail basis for one event Utilizing MAPP Online, Meyer Sound's multipurpose acoustical prediction program, the Design Services and Project Management Department at Meyer Sound Spain developed a plan that accurately defined loudspeaker placement and coverage patterns that would ensure uniform sound dispersion and level while avoiding destructive reflections. The proposed design also allowed the system to be removed from sight by raising it over the stage's acoustic ceiling or, if necessary, to be removed entirely. Most importantly, the system had to be truly versatile and cope with the diverse reinforcement challenges from flamenco to rock concerts. The system design comprised two primary arrays, suspended left and right of the stage, with main and fill loudspeakers suspended together in an elongated vertical cluster. On each side, three CQ-2 Narrow Coverage Main loudspeakers cover the three-level center seating area, with three UPA-2Ps hung alongside and underneath to provide side fill and down fill. For front stage fill, a total of four UPM-1P Ultra-Compact Wide Coverage loudspeakers are provided across the stage lip, while a pair of UPA-1Ps are set off to the side for front corner fill. Four 650-P High-Power subwoofers supply low frequency augmentation. The system was completed on schedule and in time for a concert by superstar Brazilian singer/songwriter Caetano Veloso. The evening would prove a suitably exhaustive trial of system capabilities, due to the complex mix of electronic sources and array of acoustic percussion instruments. The "test run" proved a great success, winning positive feedback from both the press and the audience. The Auditorium management and Technosound immediately decided to purchase the system. The new system was quickly pressed into service for a concert by the Spanish rock group Revolver. Their opening set was largely acoustic, but the final set was pure rock 'n' roll. A capacity crowd, all of whom were standing and singing along with the band by the end of the show, enjoyed the new system. Based on the successes so far, the Auditorium management has requested that Meyer Sound Spain design a new main center cluster for the Symphonic Hall, as well as a complete new sound system for the smaller Chamber Hall. Within the year, both of the Auditorium's halls will possess house sound reinforcement systems that not only pay rightful homage to the voice of Alfredo Kraus, but also stand as fitting aural complements to the visual artistry of the structure itself. January, 2003 |
FEATURED PRODUCTS |
