The original specification had included a sound system that sadly fell far short of the standard required for musical performances and concerts. But, thanks to an anonymous 50,000 donation, the theatre team was able to commission a new audio installation better suited to the venue.
A PA system was hired in for the theatre's inaugural event, Midnight Specials with Dieter Falk and his band giving the audience an opportunity to audition the exceptional performance of the new system. Before the final decision could be made, a thorough examination of all available possibilities had to be carried out. With extensive EASE and GeoSoft simulations, the best sound distribution was tested and a concept was designed to provide perfect sound quality and coverage for all 580 seats.
That rental system is now an integral part of the Apollo Theatre's equipment: a Nexo Geo S12 line array powered by Camco amplifiers. Installation was carried out by the local company Trendco from Siegen, which had already worked with Camco on a number of projects including the sound reinforcement system in Siegen's Siegerlandhalle.
Left and right hangs at front-of-house each include four GeoS1210 plus one S1230 array cabinets. Because the suspension points for the main system are quite far apart from each other and very close to the audience, four Nexo PS 8s were needed. However, the adjustable dispersion horn on the Nexo PS 8s enabled a very low profile and understated position for this near-field system. The capability for rock-concert volume levels was met by using Camco Vortex 6 amplifiers to drive the main sound reinforcement system.
The system is centrally monitored by the Camco CISUS remote control programme which enables easy control of delay times or array EQ from the control room by mouse click.
The new sound installation is virtually invisible, suspended on two steel strip cable hoists up in the proscenium arch above the stage. One of its special features is the fact that, though originally planned as a fixed installation, the system is partly mobile, as Trendco had a transport dolly for the line arrays specially manufactured for this purpose.
(Jim Evans)
