The first theatres in Canada to be equipped with the Meyer Sound Lyon linear sound reinforcement systems are two nearly identical venues – Edmonton’s Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (NAJA) and Calgary’s Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (SAJA).
Both Meyer Sound users since 1983, the 2,538-seat auditoriums selected Lyon as they looked to upgrade from M2D line array loudspeakers, a decision made jointly by Mark Belkie and Paul Schmitz, technical coordinators for audio at SAJA and NAJA, respectively: ‘In our listening and assessment process, Lyon set the benchmark that all other competing loudspeakers had to meet or exceed, and none could do so,’ Belkie says. ‘Lyon is a significant step forward in terms of clean and effortless SPL, giving us systems that can handle the requirements of anyone coming into our venue – including aggressive rock acts.’
Schmitz cites Lyon’s balanced and linear response: ‘The high frequencies are smooth, and throw clearly to the back of the second balcony,’ he reports. ‘Also, the mid-range response is outstanding. On first listen we were immediately impressed with the quality of the vocal range, and the snares, toms, and guitar tones sound fuller and more realistic.’
The upgrade for both auditoriums included 22 Lyon-M main line array loudspeakers and six 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements. Six-each Mina and M’elodie line array loudspeakers were installed as centre down fill clusters in SAJA and NAJA, respectively. For system drive and optimisation, two Galileo Callisto 616 array processors were added to each theatre’s existing Galileo loudspeaker management systems. The systems were supplied by Allstar Show Industries of Calgary and Edmonton, with integration and installation by technical staff at the respective auditoria.
‘Lyon has an exceptionally flat phase response and integrates beautifully with the existing Meyer Sound loudspeakers that remain in our systems,’ Belkie says.
Other Meyer Sound loudspeakers deployed at the auditoriums include UPQ-1P and M1D line array loudspeakers and 700-HP subwoofers, in addition to MJF-210, MJF-212A, UM-100P, and UM-1P stage monitors. SAJA also uses CQ-1, UPJ-1P VariO and UPM-1P loudspeakers, while NAJA uses M3D-Sub directional subwoofers. Both locations also have a Meyer Sound SIM 3 audio analyser permanently in-house – SAJA wasthe world’s first purchaser of a SIM analyser, placing its order in 1986.
Built in 1955, the Alberta Jubilee Auditoriums are owned and operated by the provincial government, and host a wide range of performing arts, cultural, community, and corporate events. Since installation, Lyon has supported performances by Boz Scaggs, Gordon Lightfoot, Sarah McLachlan, the Alberta Ballet and the Calgary and Edmonton Operas.
More: www.meyersound.com
