The theatre includes a large hall for 360 visitors and a smaller studio stage with 120 seats. As music and sound effects are now part of a contemporary play, a flexible, multifunctional sound system is essential. Besides drama, the theatre also presents live concerts and the theatre's premises can be rented; the sound system had to be highly adequate for all these applications.
The new sound system with Alcons loudspeakers fulfils all these requirement profiles. Additionally it was possible to fit the components into the tight budget, which was available for the new sound system. This now includes a DiGiCo D1 mixing desk, a PC with Abelton Live Software for multi-channel effects and sound collages, as well as a RME FireFace 800 as interface between PC and console.
"Regarding the new PA system, Alcons Audio represents a superb and outstanding system regarding its sound, size, weight, and workmanship", stated Kay Burki, the sound engineer at St. Pölten's. "Concerning the price, Alcons lies in the same range as their competitors, but crucial for us was the quality of speech and the use of 'Pro-Ribbon drivers', which are used in all Alcons systems. These have excellent acoustic and dynamic characteristics as well as system-related, very low distortion values, which never lead to a harsh sound response, not even at high SPL's.
Four Alcons Audio VR12, compact multi-purpose loudspeaker equipped with a RBN601 pro-ribbon tweeter and a Neodymium 12" driver, of which two in black and two in white color, are integrated into the proscenium of the large theatre hall. Two BF151 bass systems, each equipped with one 15" driver, are responsible for the low frequencies. Three Alcons SR9 are additionally used, one as in-fill at the stage lip and two as upper / under balcony delay lines.
On stage two VR8, also equipped with a RBN401 pro-ribbon tweeter and an 8" driver, are used as monitors along with two VR12.
The smaller studio stage is also equipped with two VR8 and a BF151, the sound and recording studio has two VR8 that are used as monitors.
(Jim Evans)
