The Hull Truck theatre in Kingston-upon-Hull has taken a new EM Acoustics sound system from Autograph Sales. Built around the Halo-C compact line array, it replaces an older EM Acoustics system that was inherited from the theatre’s previous venue.
‘Since our new venue was completed in 2009, we knew that our old system was no longer appropriate for the space,’ says Hull Truck Technical Manager, Amy Clarey. ‘Our theatre boasts quite a long thrust stage for its size [a three-sided stage that extends into the audience] which, while great for the audience, is a challenge to all aspects of theatre-making, especially sound. We therefore needed a system that would be able to handle this configuration and at the same time offer us as much flexibility as possible as our programme is extremely varied. Our aim was to invest in a new system that lives up to and indeed enhances the rest of the production.’
Another determining factor in the decision to renew the sound system was the fact that Hull has been designated the City of Culture 2017. Hull Truck theatre played a key part in winning the bid and will take a lead role in the planning and delivery of 2017. The theatre will lead the city s drama programme, opening up a number of exiting new partnerships and opportunities.
‘With the eyes of the world on us in 2017, we wanted a sound system that could immerse the audience and truly make them feel part of the show – and that meant it was time for a change,’ said Clarey. ‘Our previous system was EM Acoustics, and although we were really happy with the sound quality, due to the nature and size of the space in the new venue, it just wasn’t packing the punch that we needed.
‘We spoke to Autograph Sales, who arranged a demo with EM Acoustics – Mike Wheeler and Dave Kelland from EM came up, and we spent a day in the space looking at our options. We spoke at some length with them, which was really helpful as they completely understood what we were trying to achieve.’
The final specification comprises a centre hang of five Halo-C elements supplemented LR by an MSE-159 with an EMS81X out fill underneath, four EMS-61 delays and two EMS118 subs. Power and system control comes courtesy of existing QSC ampslifiers and processing.
‘The EM team got it perfectly right for our unusual venue – we have precise, even coverage across all seats in the theatre,’ Clarey reports. ‘On the first day it went live, we had overwhelmingly positive feedback from the audience and performers alike. We are very proud of the audio experience we can now offer our patrons and look forward to the many ways in which we can use it.’
More: www.autographsales.co.uk
More: www.emacoustics.co.uk
