L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive technology has been installed in a theatre for the first time ever. The 800-capacity AFAS Theatre, in Leusden, Netherlands, is the centrepiece of the AFAS complex. The theatre hosts everything from conferences, corporate events and awards ceremonies, to theatrical productions and live concerts, and wanted a system that was “flexible and multi-faceted”.
Installed by Fairlight, who served as audio partner for the project, the L-ISA Scene system comprises five hangs of one L2 over one L2D, and 10 KS21 subwoofers. Two X8 coaxial enclosures were used for in-fill, while 12 5XT serve as spatial front-fill. Two X8 are placed under the balconies, to close two small gaps that the main system did not cover, while four 5XT serve the private boxes.
A catwalk in the ceiling blocks coverage for the top rows on the balcony, so three A10 Wide recover this missing coverage and are fed by an LCR downmix from the L-ISA Processor II. The entire system is powered by 11 LA7.16i, two LA12X, and one LA4X amplified controllers.
Before deciding on the best solution, Daniël Bril, audio engineer, AFAS Theatre, had consulted Jeroen ten Brinke, an experienced sound designer. Bril said: “We wanted the best system in the Netherlands. it had to be sophisticated, and it had to be future proof….. AFAS is a company that likes new technologies and when L-Acoustics came out with the L2 it was something that really blew our minds.”
Bril collaborated closely with Rene van der Linden, at Fairlight, which is L-Acoustics certified provider for the Netherlands, and Gert Wiersema, application engineer at L-Acoustics. Using Soundvision audio modelling software, they designed a system that would serve the wide range of events at the theatre, while also ensuring it remained aesthetically unobtrusive.
“Sightlines were a major consideration for this project,” explained Bril. “The L Series enables a relatively small PA to provide full coverage, from the top row on the balcony all the way down to the edge of the stage. The L Series is so much smaller than boxes with similar power, and to make things even better, it just looks sexy.”
Van der Linden noted that the incorporation of the L-ISA technology was straightforward, with L-Acoustics providing training and support throughout. “A visiting FOH engineer told me L-ISA was simple to programme and the production team were happy with the results,” he said. “The given idea is that implementing immersive technology is complicated, but this project shows how easy it is. The AFAS Theatre team were eager to learn and picked it up very fast.”
Bril concluded: “The synergies between this L2 L-ISA system and a venue so centred on technological innovation are clear for all to see. It is a perfect pairing that allows the AFAS Theatre to continue to expand and diversify its offering. Everyone who has put it to use, from engineers to artists, has been absolutely delighted with its performance.”
