Situated within a shopping mall, the venue is the brainchild of Belgian-born managing director Luc Vandecasteele, who wanted to create an outdoor performance area that could predominantly host classical and jazz concerts.
L-Acoustics reseller for Botswana, Keyman Ventures, was employed to source technical equipment for the venue and called in Gauteng, South Africa-based L-Acoustics certified provider Sound Harmonics to take part in a three-system shoot out.
"Luc's vision was for the venue to be a cultural centre," explains Sound Harmonics' Richard Smith. "In the first instance, we were sent drawings of the venue and asked to create a system that would cover the entire venue and suit anything from a ballet or orchestral performance, to jazz or even hip hop."
Richard knew they needed a line array to manage the 55-60m throw, so he produced a design based around an L-Acoustics system. From that proposal, Richard and his team were invited to a 'blind' shoot out, along with two other well-known loudspeaker brands.
When the demo was completed, Luc raised concerns about the strict Botswanan laws surrounding noise pollution. Since Molapo Crossing flanks residential areas, he decided he wanted to keep the audience away from the back of the venue, so a system with less throw was required.
"We recommended Arcs Wide and Focus, as its reach is contained to around 30 metres," says Richard. "This would allow us to concentrate the sound right near the stage and, by positioning the subs quite close to the PA, it also wouldn't bleed out far into the surrounding areas."
This was the first part of the rationale for the final solution, the second part was cost driven.
"Luc considered whether he should provide all the technical equipment, or if, in fact, he should just allow visiting acts to bring their own systems," Richard continues. "However, he realised there could legal ramifications if he were not in complete control of the sound levels. The ability of Arcs Wide and Focus to do just that was a major selling point."
Richard and his team prepared another proposal, showing a solution that satisfied the restrictions without compromising on audio quality and that had the additional benefit of being able to add to the system should there be a need to cover the entire venue, either permanently or for certain events.
"By positioning delays halfway down the space it's possible to reach the very back, which is ideal for the type of classical concerts they want to hold. Any additional equipment needed can be accommodated with a rental solution from Keyman," says Richard.
The permanent system comprises two Arcs Focus and one Wide flown next to two SB118Ms per side, with four 8XTs used as front fills.
The main PA is driven by an LA8 and an LA4X amplifier. Additionally, there are eight 12XT monitors with just two further LA4X, allowing them to run eight sends in passive mode. Time alignment is done via the amplifiers, so the system operates as a simple 'plug and play' solution on a day-to-day basis.
"We've also installed a cabling infrastructure into the venue and provided mics and a mixing console as per the spec," Richard continues. "On the left hand side of the venue there's a VIP room overlooking the stage. We have put lines to and from this, so if they want to put extra powered speakers in there they can."
(Jim Evans)
