EM Acoustics offers comprehensive solution to Royal Plymouth Theater

The modernization of the Lyric auditorium completes the transformation of this cultural space in the United Kingdom to become a venue fully equipped with the technology of EM Acoustics.

Inaugurated in 1982, teatro Royal Plymouth (TRP) hosts a wide range of shows, including touring musicals, dance and comedy productions, for a capacity of 1.300 spectators, which can be reduced to 800 by adjusting your unique mobile roof, for more intimate functions.

Precisely its unique architecture has been a challenge for the installation of a sound system according to its varied programming, which has now been updated throughout the space with the manufacturer's technology EM Acoustics.

How do you explain And Mitcham, Royal Plymouth sound director, “I have been using EM Acoustics products for years in all theater spaces. We have always had an excellent relationship with them., and the update for the Lyric auditorium It was just logical.".

After using this manufacturer's systems in their smaller auditoriums, including Drum Theatre, with capacity for two hundred seats, y Lab, for fifty seats, Lyric sound system replacement, which had already been used for thirty years, has followed the same path.

“The old system was in operation since the inauguration of the theater and, although it worked well for us, "It was obsolete," Mitcham points out.. Our CEO, James MacKenzie-Blackman, “He is committed to investing in the theater and helped the project gain momentum after hearing a production using EM Acoustics speakers.”.

The Lyric auditorium presented several challenges for the internal technical team. The irregular shape of the enclosure, added to the possibility of modifying the height of the ceiling, required careful planning to achieve uniform sound coverage in all space.

“Lyric has a really unusual auditorium shape, with a mobile roof and a storage area plenum which partially blocks the left side of the main sound system from certain seats in the audience - Mitcham points out -, but we knew that EM Acoustics could solve these challenges effectively”.

Dan Mitchan and his team designed a configuration to ensure clear and uniform sound coverage throughout the auditorium, regardless of seating position. The main proscenium sound system is based on the serie Reference by EM Acoustic, con R10 speakers located on both sides of the three levels, that are complemented by a core group of models R8, one per level.

For better low frequency response, have been installed subwoofers S18 on both sides of the stage, while two speakers S15 They guarantee additional coverage in the circle and at higher levels.

In the case of more specific audio needs, two speakers are used EMS81X as side fills in the circle and on higher levels, while the models EMS61 and EMS51 They serve as delays and fillers in the stalls, the circle and the top.

Four MC15 floor monitors and four EMS81X speakers for special effects complete the system. This configuration is powered by five DQ10 amplifiers and the same model number DQ6, all connected in a network through Dante.

“That EM Acoustics amplifiers are compatible with Dante is a great advantage,” says Mitcham.. We want to establish a complete network infrastructure for the entire venue in the future, providing us with a truly future-proof solution, something we can rely on for years.”.

New sound system has significantly improved audio quality at the Royal Plymouth Theater. “The sound is incredible and very transparent. It sounds fantastic from the first moment - says this manager -. We have had minimal need for EQ adjustments for the physical system, which means we can spend more time perfecting performance characteristics, improving what the public hears”.

The flexibility offered by a complete EM Acoustics installation has been beneficial. “Now we have their systems in all three scenarios, and flexibility is a big advantage. Any speaker on any of our stages can be used in any other space, which has been invaluable to us. It provides us with great adaptability and continuity”.

The response from production teams and visiting engineers has been “overwhelmingly positive”, assures Mitcham, and many productions and touring sound engineers have expressed their appreciation for the sound quality and ease of integration.

“Touring engineers love it. Being compatible with Dante, They don't have to worry about complex configurations. They simply connect to the network and get to work -continues-. Companies value consistency, and designers know they are working with something that sounds brilliant every time.”.