France - Poised at the gateway to the Champagne vineyards, Châlons-en-Champagne is steeped in heritage and culture, blending history with innovation. Its cathedrals and gothic architecture house a vibrant creative community. Le Capitole en Champagne's multi-purpose venue showcases creativity, serving the community with events ranging from one-person shows to live music and musicals in a versatile space. Opened in 2012 and managed by S-Pass TSE group, the modular space can hold 3,600 in a mix of seated and standing audiences.
In 2023, faced with an expanding lineup of events, Le Capitole en Champagne updated the existing audio system, aiming for top-tier sound quality and versatility to meet diverse demands. Julien Dejonckeere, technical director at S-Pass TSE, which manages the venue, specified an L-Acoustics professional audio system and contacted local certified provider integrator Lagoona.
Alongside optimal sound, they sought features like room mapping and easy installation. Using Soundvision, a Left/Right system with centre-fill was designed, comprising Eight K2 with three Kara II down per side and four KS28 subwoofers flown behind each side. The centre hang features three A15i Focus and one A15i Wide. Four A10 Wide per side) serve as out-fills, with six X8 as front-fills.
The system is driven by six LA7.16i, and two LA12X amplified controllers, with one P1 processor and six LS10 Milan-AVB switches.
Using the LA7.16i allows for Auto-FIR processing of each K2 and keeps energy consumption to the strict necessary. A stage monitor system of eight X12 is powered by two LA4X amplified controllers.
According to Yannick Robert, director of Le Capitole en Champagne, the new system has been a roaring success, fulfilling its mission to facilitate all applications. “I’d say that the installation of this system has been amazing. It allows us to have a room equipped with superb sound, which saves productions having to rent and install equipment,” he says. “This translates to real budget economies for those productions.”
Robert reports that the new L-Acoustics professional sound system has pushed the envelope at Le Capitole, ensuring the venue offers diversified programming and attracts ever-more innovative and spectacular shows. “It's entirely possible that having a concert sound system of this quality will be the deciding factor for productions to perform at Le Capitole,” he says. “The mission was to offer a complete solution for all shows, and that’s certainly been achieved.”
