A destination venue for top-tier science, economic and cultural events, the Congress Centrum Ulm in Southern Germany, recently completed a sound system re-designof its Einstein Saal (Einstein Hall) and foyer using Renkus-Heinz ICLive loudspeakers.
Named after Albert Einstein – who was born in Ulm – the CCU’s Einstein Hall features a movable stage and proscenium for use as an orchestra pit or stage extension. The venue’s wood-paneled walls, towering ceiling and tiered balconies create a stunning view toward the main stage but inevitably introduce acoustic challenges.
With the new audio system, the city of Ulm, property developer of the CCU, wanted to deliver a high-quality sound experience to every seat in the house, and employed the audio consultant office HF-Medientechnk to design a system with a emphasis on the spoken word. Live music, including full orchestral performances, also featured in the system design considerations.
HF-Medientechnik modelled the acoustics of the hall using Ease software and auditioned several loudspeakers to identify the best solution for the space. At the same time, the system was to be compact enough to allow the use of additional mobile equipment at the sides of the stage without any restrictions.
The ICLive digitally steerable array system from Renkus-Heinz is a highly versatile loudspeaker system intended to be used in higher-output applications. It provides designers with the headroom, steerability and directivity needed to deliver consistent coverage and clarity for large, acoustically difficult spaces.
fein.media, the integrator for the project, installed the technology and Renkus-Heinz´ German distributor MediasPro configured and commissioned the loudspeakers. Two ICLive arrays and two ICLX-118S subwoofers on each side of the stage now provide uniform sound coverage across the hall. The main loudspeakers are supported by a mix of more than 30 Renkus-Heinz self-powered CA61 and CA81 loudspeakers in the space in front of the stage, as stage monitors, below the balcony, in the foyer, and as monitors in the control room.
‘For locations such as Congress Centrum Ulm, the loudspeaker solution should provide not only great audio but also allow flexibility of events and at the same time help maintaining the architectural integrity of the space,’ says MediasPro’s Michael Voessing, ‘With architecturally unobtrusive sound solutions from Renkus-Heinz, we were able to create an acoustically beautiful space.’
The self-powered CA models come equipped with the advanced SA series power amplifiers, featuring optional Rhaon Network Control or Dante inputs. With these features, all CA models are compatible with all other self-powered Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers, including the Renkus-Heinz steerable columns.
For the CCU, an audio system that can accommodate a wide range of events – from spoken word to music – was mission-critical, and Renkus-Heinzloud speakers helped accomplish that.
More: www.renkus-heinz.com
