Won over by the quality of the dV-Dosc system used on the Gallo-Roman Stadium show, the Puy du Fou decided in 2002 to bring the same audio signature to the Cinescenie, one of the biggest permanent stages in the world (3 acres, 14,000 capacity audience per show) and asked its technical team to chose an L-Acoustics system that could be adapted to the geography (an outdoor show arena with a lake in the middle, several different stage locations, night shows, totally exposed to the elements, etc) and to the audio requirements (high intelligibility and predictable directivity, off-site noise pollution, etc). The sound engineers eventually chose to work mainly with the dV-Dosc's big brother, V-Dosc; with its 90° horizontal directivity and maximum SPL of 146 dB for an array of just 4 cabinets, the V-Dosc is ideal for large-scale applications.
The Puy du Fou's sound manager Jocelin Bouchet explains: "This installation has been a real challenge: we had to maintain the authenticity of the park and the era of the show - namely between the Middle Ages and the Second World War - whilst also specifying and utilizing the latest technologies available in the marketplace." This latest installation coincides with the launching of the show's new music, composed by Nick Glennie-Smith, recorded and pre-mixed by Malcolm Luker and mixed by Frédéric Bougeais. Consequently, from the opening of the 2003 season (7 June), the Cinescenie show will be equipped with four sound sources around the venue, each consisting of four V-Doscs, three SB218 subwoofers and six LA48a amplifiers.
Two other sound sources (left & right), facing the audience, include three V-Doscs, two SB218 subwoofers and three LA48a amplifiers. A further sound source in front of the audience consists of six ARCS cabinets, two SB218 subwoofers, plus three LA24as and a single LA48a amplifier. Five additional sound sources are distributed behind the seats, to deliver a surround effect. The installation was handled by La Boite a Sons.
(Ruth Rossington)
