Located in Brussels,the Vorst Nationaal is a 7,000-capacity multipurpose venue that is a principal stop on the European touring circuit. Over the next few months, Bob Dylan, Jean Michel Jarre, Johnny Hallyday, Eros Ramazotti and Steely Dan will all play dates there, and a number of high-profile sporting events will also be staged in the main arena.
Steven Bontinck from Ampco Belgium has just completed an acoustic installation in the new VIP facility. "Our design had to complement the architectural concept of the suite, which is intended to serve visiting artists and music industry events, as well as hosting VIP concert packages for the corporate market," explains Bontinck.
"The architects were very clear that they didn't want big loudspeakers, and they immediately fell for the Vieta Do-2 compact design, just 26 cm tall and very low-profile."
For the Vorst Nationaal VIPs, Ampco fitted 24x Do-2 models, supplemented by 4x Do-80S subs, all supplied in white livery. "The subs have been placed on the side walls in the middle of the room because our client wanted to have some more volume and full-range sound in this area," says Bentinck. "The amplifiers are Crest Audio CC 1800, and the whole system is controlled by a Peavey MM Digitool. We provided inputs for microphones and a DJ setup, and additionally there is a Roland AR-200R automatic announcement system operating in three languages."
(Jim Evans)
