L-Acoustics systems synchronize the sound of the Green Music Center auditorium at the University of Sonoma

The new sound system, based on L-Acoustics solutions, of the Green Music Center allows for personalized and synchronized acoustics of the 1.400 concert hall seating with the area located outdoors, with capacity for others 5.000 further.

The Donald and Maureen Green Music Center is a performing arts complex located in the heart of Northern California wine country. Located on the campus of Sonoma State University, The facilities integrate multiple places of operation as an area dedicated to musical education, extensive outdoor spaces and a restaurant.

This building was inaugurated in the fall of 2012 with a concert hall for 1.400 seating, with balconies surrounding the auditorium and the back of the stage. Besides, The rear wall opens to a large garden with seating for more than 5.000 additional people.

When it was decided to install a new sound system, The challenge posed by the University was to find a solution that would allow the hall to host both classical music concerts and the wide variety of non-classical artists who perform there, such as Ben Harper., Jason Mraz, Lyle Lovett y Stewart Copeland. For the first option, the room had adequate acoustics but for the second type of events it needed a solution that provided the appropriate sound.. Besides, The outdoor space had to be taken into account to expand the number of seats when needs required it..

To respond to these challenges, the Karai WST line source modular system from the French manufacturer was chosen. L-Acoustics completed with K2 line array system, ideal for outdoor applications.

Designed and installed by integrator Solotech, The chosen solution integrates a total of 18 Karai teams, nine on each side flown over the stage, with four Arcs Focus for the rear seating area. They complete the interior coverage 19 5XT, four SB18i subwoofers stacked on stage. The room system is powered by four La8 amplifiers (4x1800W) and two LA4 (4x1000w) from the French manufacturer that incorporates a digital processor.

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander has a close relationship with Sonoma State University and oversaw the system design and specifications for the exterior of the campus, which was also installed by Solotech. For this area it was decided to install two 22 K2 line array modules, configured in two locks 11 boxes each, and complemented by a central constant curvature array of six Arcs II. LF is delivered via eight SB28s in four sets per side, while a dozen LA8s conduct all the sound through this open-air space.

“We were asking a lot of a PA system to provide coverage of 360 seamless degrees inside the room, as well as in the seats located outside. It was important that people were able to have a consistent experience no matter where they were listening from.. Actually, there are two separate sound systems that have to operate and function as if they were one”, explica Jerry Uhlig, Weill Hall technical director and production manager.

The combination of the various L-Acoustics components also allows customization for each concert., whose process is carried out thanks to the integration of a speaker control system operated with an iPad from any point of the installation.