Internationally renowned for its commitment to social activism, Hamburg-based FC St Pauli won promotion to Germany’s Bundesliga last season, accompanying its reputation as a cultural phenomenon with a following that extends far beyond Germany’s borders.
Housed within the legendary Millerntor-Stadion, the FC St Pauli Museum celebrates the team’s history and admirable ethos. Here, a new Genelec sound system allows visitors to experience the club like never before. Combining immersive soundscapes and audio technology, the new set-up brings the roar of the crowd and the essence of the club into full focus.
Founded in 1910, FC St Pauli began as an unremarkable football club that evolved into a symbol of rebellion and inclusivity. During the 1980s and 1990s, it was closely tied to Hamburg’s countercultural movement, embracing progressive ideals that resonated with the city’s working-class roots. ‘
FC St Pauli fans are known for their unbreakable loyalty and passionate support,’ says Dennis Bajer, a Hamburg audio producer and engineer, FC St Pauli supporter, and the man responsible for the new sound installation. ‘An authentic portrayal of their culture and connection to the team was essential for this project.’
This ethos extends beyond the pitch, making the club an icon for diversity, equality and community activism. The museum at Millerntor-Stadion seeks to encapsulate this legacy, and its latest audio upgrade is key to achieving that goal. Bajer took on the challenge of creating, designing, producing and integrating an audio experience that would immerse visitors in the fervour of a Millerntor match.
Collaborating with Christopher Radke from the museum, Bajer looked to complement the visual storytelling with an equally impactful auditory dimension. The highlight of the installation is its ability to evoke the emotional intensity of St Pauli’s key moments. ‘We used the surround mix from the Bundesliga’s host broadcaster Sportcast, adding chants, claps, and effects to replicate the stadium atmosphere,’ Bajer explains. ‘The aim was to transport visitors to those core memories and make them feel part of the journey.’
The minimal profile of Genelec’s 8010 loudspeaker allowed a number of them to be an unobtrusive part of the museum’s projection, ensuring that the visuals remained the focus. A further consideration was the reliability of Genelec’s performance. ‘I knew from experience that their loudspeakers would faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the Millerntor-Stadion, even in the museum’s compact space,’ Bajer notes. Paired with an RCF S5012 subwoofer and a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 interface, the system delivers a 7.1 mix that captures every nuance of the fan chants, crowd roars and matchday intensity.
The original plan included a 7.1.2 set-up, but overhead loudspeaker placement had to be adjusted due to the museum’s large projection. ‘Instead of seeing this as a setback, we leveraged the room’s natural acoustics to deepen the sense of immersion,’ says Bajer. ‘Careful positioning and production adjustments ensured the system met its goals.’
The result is an installation that exceeds expectations. Visitors are now greeted with a soundscape that mirrors the heart and soul of FC St Pauli, and Bajer couldn’t be more proud: ‘The sound and space feel truly married to each other,’ he says. ‘It’s a perfect reflection of the team’s unity and the fans’ unwavering support. The teamwork involved was incredible. Without it, this room might still be a storage area. It’s fascinating to see everything come together with such a strong message of community and resilience.’
More than just a technical achievement, the museum’s new audio installation invites fans and visitors to relive unforgettable moments while discovering what makes this club unique.
Bajer concludes: ‘This project wasn’t just about sound – it was about capturing the essence of what FC St Pauli stands for. And that’s something truly special.’
More: www.genelec.com
