The new Kolodruma Velodrome and multifunctional indoor arena is presently the only such indoor venue in Bulgaria and the largest in the Balkans. Located in Plovdiv, the 4,800- to 7,500-capacity venue (depending on use and configuration) can also host 22 other sports and operates as a concert venue.
The audio for Kolodruma velodrome was designed and installed by ProAudio Ltd: ‘We were involved in the project from its original design, and chosen for our experience in similar large-scale projects in Bulgaria,’ company MD Stanislav Petrov saya.
For the main arena, ProAudio designed a distributed system using Community R Series loudspeakers, using ten R Series R2-94s, four R2-77s, 18 R1-64s, 36 R1-94s, 20 R.5-99s and 22 I215LVS subwoofers.
‘R Series has a proven track record for audio quality, with outstanding intelligibility and reliability,’ Petrov says. ‘Importantly the extensive range also provides the choice of power levels and coverage patterns required for a system accurately tailored to the venue. Our measurements, with NTi test equipment, showed a very even 100–103dB SPL and STI from 0.57 to 0.69 [room empty] across the venue.’
Each loudspeaker is powered by a single QSC CX amplifier channel, controlled via a QSC Q-Sys DSP. Audio sources for the systems are Audio-Technica mics and Tascam combination media player/recorders. ProAudio also designed and installed the velodrome’s separate TOA VX-2000 based voice evacuation system.
Designed by Dutch architect, Sander Douma – creator of some of the largest velodromes in Europe, the most notable in Athens, Monte Carlo, Palma de Majorca, and Manchester – the complex includes a press centre, dressing rooms, coaching facilities, a sports and recreational centre, restaurants and a large retail store.
‘This is a large and prestigious national project, so we are pleased to have delivered a system that provides excellent results,’ Petrov says. ‘Visitors can enjoy excellent audio quality wherever they sit and both the main contractor and Kolodruma’s investors are extremely happy with the result.’
