Lichtwerk Veranstaltungstechnik is the first German customer for the new LR18 pro-ribbon line array system from the Dutch premium manufacturer Alcons Audio. The Berlin-based full-service company focuses on trade fairs and industrial events, and has invested in 18 LR18 pro-ribbon systems.
The system debuted at the Special Olympics In Willingen, for an open-air event in the snow in front of 3,500 guests. ‘With the new line array, we have a fantastic tool for our work and are looking forward to providing the best sound for our customers,’ says Götz Berge, one of two Lichtwerk MDs.
The LR18 features Alcons’ multiple-patented pro-ribbon driver technology for mid-range and high-frequency frequencies, delivering an ultra-fast response with up to 90 per cent lower distortion. It claims completely linear reproduction with excellent speech intelligibility and uncompressed, identical sound balance at every sound pressure level.
The Lichtwerk investment represents a longstanding relationship with Alcons Audio, beginning in 2003, when Lichtwerk won the tender for the Berlin Museumsinsel Festival.
‘The festival covered everything from rock ’n roll to opera and we needed a PA,’ Berge says. ‘We were talking to Carsten Albrecht, who had just switched to Alcons and ordered a line array system, which was not yet available. We had the deepest confidence that it would be good. In the end, the system, later christened LR16, came on and was set-up within an hour. We switched it on and were completely blown off our socks. The sound was absolutely brilliant and extremely direct. Really unique! Since then, we are Alcons converts! Now, after 14 years, the time is right for the new, larger system for Lichtwerk.’
‘The Alcons technology is simply convincing,’ says co-MD, Simon Schmitt. ‘Alcons offers the only true line array systems because they are real line source systems and no point source systems – and everyone can hear that. Alcons line arrays – be it LR16 or LR18 – are superior in sound to most systems. With Alcons, you can also experience unexpected successes in environments which are generally considered not to be suitable for amplification. ‘
Lichtwerk reckons to have won tenders with speech-intelligibility that was previously not considered possible: ‘It clearly speaks for the system, if one can create a good sound even in difficult rooms,’ Schmitt says. ‘For Alcons products, brilliance and speech intelligibility are guaranteed – even without EQ-ing. In simple rooms, you can work with a less good system, but Alcons plays out his superiority precisely in situations where nothing seems to work. We are looking forward to many new challenges and look forward to this thanks to Alcons. ‘
‘After Lichtwerk Berlin was the first customer on the German market with the LR16, we are particularly pleased that Götz and Simon are also the first with the “bigger brother” LR18,’ says Carsten Albrecht of Alcons Audio Germany. ‘This brings it full- circle. We are very grateful to be able to share our audio pioneering with Lichtwerk yesterday, today and in the future.’
More: www.alconsaudio.com
