Halle ô Grains theatre upgrades with APG
- Details
This update was undertaken in order to offer the best possible experience to spectators, and a more versatile technical palette for incoming artists and crews. The new hall now boasts a complete APG loudspeaker system installed by the ISA Group, an integrating partner of the APG network, enabling the theatre’s management to count on high-precision, high-quality acoustics.
“The specifications were drawn up around the programming and shows, 80% of which are theatrical,” comments Romain Motte, general manager of La Halle ô Grains for the past five years. “We were looking for precise audio quality, particularly at the high frequencies for a totally faithful reproduction of the voices. We also wanted to differentiate La Halle ô Grains from other theatres in the region and opted for a sound system that we felt was superior.”
The theatre's tender was won by the ISA Group, which was able to put forward a bid with a high-performance, technologically innovative and financially competitive sound system. The theatre was no stranger to the APG brand, thanks to local event provider Music Light, a member of the APG network of service provider partners in France and a regular user of APG for several years. Motte and the theatre's management were able to testify to the performance of APG loudspeakers during summer events organised in partnership with Music Light.
“We had already worked with Music Light on outdoor events that we organise in the summer and we were very impressed by the quality of listening and the availability of the APG teams,” says Motte. “When we received ISA's response to the call for tenders, we also made enquiries with another renowned theatre, Le Grand T, which had just equipped itself with APG and was delighted with its choice.”
After evaluating the best possible configuration to host the eclectic performances planned by the theatre - from plays, contemporary circus shows and storytelling, to classical music concerts, French music, and puppet and object theatre performances – the choice fell on an L-C-R configuration based on APG's Uniline Compact system, consisting of a group of six UC206N and three UC115B on each side, as well as four UC206W coupled to a pair of DX12s in the centre of the stage.
The theatre also specified a versatile equipment list consisting of 16 APG DX12 loudspeakers, four SB115M2s and four DX8s, as well as 15 loudspeaker lines on the grill.
“The venue required an atypical sound design,” explains Motte. “In addition to the predominantly voice-based programming, the sound system also needed to be discreet in size and aesthetics, so that the audience would be focussed on the actors and performers, not on large clusters of loudspeakers hanging above the stage.”
Alexis Reymond, technical sales engineer for France’s Eastern region at APG, comments: “This key installation is a perfect illustration of the quality and synergies created by APG’s network of around 40 integrators and service providers in France. On this project, we have an end user who has become familiar with our brand through a local event provider, before being accompanied by a regional integrator; also a partner of the APG network. This ability to listen and provide service is the strength of our network, and directly benefits the users who trust us.”
La Halle ô Grains was re-opened on December 2019, but was forced to put its activity on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the initial reactions to the APG system have been excellent.
(Jim Evans)
