Royal National Theater, London, UK
Olivier Theatre and Lyttelton Theatre
"L-ACOUSTICS SOUND SOLUTIONS PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS
ADAPTIVE SYSTEM - April, 2021 - https://lnkd.in/etw_vvzT
The Olivier Theatre, named after the National Theatre’s first Director, Laurence Olivier, is one of the most prestigious producing theatres worldwide.
...
The new sound system had to be mobile enough to be reconfigured production after production and to offer maximum flexibility to support the artistic vision of the guest sound designers. A sound system ‘‘toolbox’’ based upon two technologies is provided.
The reproduction of vocals is served by a fixed constant curvature central cluster of 6 x ARCS II (completed by a ring of 8XTi balcony delays) with a horizontal coverage of 135°. A mobile KARA modular line source system is deployed for the reproduction of modern music in a left right arrangement of 9 x Kara enclosures with 3 x SB18 to deliver LF contour, impact and a highly transient response.
The sonic space can be divided into different zones according to production demands. With the diverse range of theatre the Olivier produces and the need to cater for the requests of the world class sound designers who work there, L-Acoustics have designed a flexible system that can cater for every eventuality and allow the venue to host multiple productions on a weekly basis.
“The Olivier Theatre is an extremely tricky theatre for sound. I was knocked out when I first heard the Karas in this space. The sound is superbly detailed, and the system is extremely powerful.” Paul Arditti, Theatre Sound Designer
"
"Meyer Sound System Continues to Shine at the National Theatre - September, 2022 - https://lnkd.in/e6DuQpq7
“The Olivier’s tricky acoustics mean that the actors’ voices need to be reinforced,“ says Arditti. “The first job of any sound designer is to determine how to best mic the performers in a transparent way – hopefully relatively invisibly, both visually and aurally.
You want the spoken word to be just magically loud enough anywhere in the theater, without sounding amplified. And secondly, of course, you want to have fun with the music and sound effects, and what you can do creatively.
...
As part of a sonic partnership that began in 2018, the Olivier’s Meyer Sound system is anchored by left and right arrays of eight LEOPARD line array loudspeakers plus a split center cluster with three LEOPARD loudspeakers for the longer throw and six LINA line array loudspeakers for closer orchestra seating. Eight newly-added UP‑4slim loudspeakers offer great front-fill coverage for the first few rows and 25 additional fill, sub-bass, and delay loudspeakers located throughout the theater complete the system. Paul is also using two ULTRA‑X20 and eight ULTRA‑X40 loudspeakers for sound effects – “a stunningly powerful box for its size.”"
acoustics sounddesign audio audioengineering audioengineer measurements loudspeakers proaudio soundsystems architecture