Covering 2000m2, the project was initiated several years ago by the mayor of Besançon. Designed by architect Claude Denu, the audio system was designed by ATES Thise, based in the eastern suburbs of the town.
La Rodia's management team was already an ATES client, having worked with the company on a previous project. "Despite the initial discussions about La Rodia's audio system taking place three years ago, we advised them from the beginning to have an all-digital system," says Pascal Lacroix of IZO, the ATES subsidiary which supplied the system. "We explained that, even if it seemed a little premature then, once the project was completed 'let out digital' would be the rule."
For the larger, 900-capacity hall, ATES selected a Yamaha PM5D at front of house and an M7CL48-ES for monitors. Six pairs of AD8HRhead amp/AD convertors, an NAI48-ESEthersound interface and SB168-ES stage boxes make for a very flexible and high quality system
The smaller hall has a capacity of 320 and features an M7CL48-ES console for both FOH and monitors, with further SB168-ES stage boxes. Both halls feature Nexo PS15 monitors, while the studios each feature an02R96VCM mixing console.
Managed by an Auvitran AVM500-ES controller, an Ethersound star topology network connects all of the spaces in La Rodia. There are multiple connection points in each room, making for a very flexible venue. It allows the consoles and stage boxes to be easily moved to a range of different places, meaning many different types of event can be accommodated.
"The technicians here soon saw how easy it is to move the equipment, plug it into the nearest Ethersound socket and then use Auvitran ES Monitor to reconfigure the system," says Pascal.
(Jim Evans)
