Two of the XL8 systems at the SSCAC have been installed into the 1,200-capacity Grand Theatre, with the third residing in the 500-capacity Dinner Theatre. A Verona has also been installed into each theatre, along with four Klark Teknik Square ONE EQs and an 8-channel Square ONE Dynamics processor.
The centre, built alongside Lake Jin Ji in the Arts and Entertainment district of Suzhou Industrial Park, is the largest multi-functional complex in the region, housing exhibition and function halls, a commercial centre, a Cineplex and an IMAX Theatre as well as the two XL8-equipped theatres.
Theatre Projects Consultants was the audio consultant on the project, with Rightway contracted to supply the audio system, designed by Ben Lin. The major criteria when specifying the digital consoles were maximum reliability, and input and output matrices which would make them suitable and convenient for the large scale productions staged in the Grand Theatre such as opera, dance and theatre, as well as optimum sound quality.
One of the XL8s in the Grand Theatre is installed into the audio control room, where it is used for front-of-house as well as post production, in combination with a ProTools HD2 system, connected to the XL8 via the DL451 AES/EBU I/O unit. Onstage, the XL8 monitor console can move between upstage, downstage and orchestra pit positions.
Meanwhile, in the SSCAC's dinner theatre, the third XL8 is being used for FOH and monitors for smaller shows.
At the Shenzhen Poly Culture Centre, a single XL8 is also being used for both monitoring and FOH in the centre's theatre, which has also purchased a Midas Verona as a touring monitor console.
"When we demonstrated the XL8 to staff from the Poly Theatre - who were originally going to purchase an analogue console - they were persuaded by its classic sound quality and user-oriented analogue surface, making it very convenient to operate," says Danny Lau from Rightway. "They at once approved the additional investment for the XL8. Within an hour or two their engineers were totally at home behind the controls, as well as being struck by the incredible sound, and they are proud to have the most remarkable digital console currently available in their theatre."• In other news from Midas, US rental company Clair Brothers Audio has recently purchased two Midas XL8 digital mixing systems.
(Claire Beeson)
