Advances in audio technology are bringing multifunctional systems that can be used for film screenings as well as live performances and presentations within the reach of venues with scarcer resources. One such is in Southwest Italy – a new ‘cineteatro’, an increasingly popular concept for regional venues in continental Europe.
The Tempio del Popolo (People’s Temple) cineteatro is located in Policastro Bussentino, and presented audio installer Disc Up Production with a major challenge, as its audio system was only seriously considered by the developer during the final phase of its construction. This meant that the company’s Angelo Auleta had to design a system deliver high-quality cineteatro sound, but on what had become an extremely limited budget: ‘The budget meant that we had to make an important decision about how to deliver the best possible audio quality, but where we could compromise in terms of equipment,’ he says.
Yamaha Commercial Audio’s CIS line provided the solution, allowing Disc Up to provide a high-quality theatre system that also delivers the main cinema sound, with full system control and processing by an MTX3 matrix processor. Such is the quality of this main system that Disc Up was able to use low-price, third-party loudspeakers for the cinema surround element, ensuring that the overall project came in on budget.
The Yamaha equipment includes a pair of IF2115/95 loudspeakers for the main LR sound, a centre IF2115/AS and two IS1218 subs. The system is powered by a PC2001N and two PC9501N power amplifiers, with control and routing handled by the MTX3. An MG16XU mixer is provided for live performances and background music, while a DCP1V4S wall panel provides overall control.
The two IS1218 subs are flown above the spectators, level with the sixth row of the venue’s raked seating and aimed downwards. This provides a very consistent low frequency sound throughout the auditorium and also keeps the subs out of sight of the audience.
‘Disc Up and the Tempio del Popolo staff have been surprised and impressed by the power and quality of the Yamaha speakers,’ reports Wouter ‘Tony’ Verkuijl of Yamaha Music Europe’s Italy branch. ‘It is a large auditorium and in both Theatre and Cinema modes the system delivers great consistency, clarity and punch. It has proved to be very capable of scaring people when sudden dynamic scenes occur in movies.’
The combination of the MTX3 and DCP1V4S allows the system to be completely reconfigured at the touch of a button, an important factor in regional venues, allowing the system to be operated by non-technical people: ‘The venue is delighted to have a high-end solution that can be operated by any member of staff,’ Verkuijl adds. ‘Cinema or Theatre modes are selected using one button and the volume of the entire system can be controlled with the rotary control of the DCP1V4S. The finesse of the MTX3 and DCP1V4S control means that even the walk-in music for Cinema mode is programmed and processed differently through the MG16XU, compared to how the mixer is used in Theatre mode.’
More: www.yamahaproaudio.com
