Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum theater ushers in a new era of sound with EM Acoustics

To renew the obsolete sound system of this emblematic venue, and that could continue to respond to the demands of productions, an infrastructure based on the Reference series of EM Acoustics.

He Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum theater is located in the heart of the Scottish capital and annually welcomes more than 100.000 visitors who enjoy the magic of the performing arts.

Headquarters of the Lyceum theater company for more than 60 years, presents a varied programming that ranges from classic dramas and contemporary works to comedies and musicals.

The sound system required an update to ensure that this iconic venue could continue to meet the demands of modern productions.. It was chosen EM Acoustics Reference series to deliver accurate, high-quality audio, regardless of function.

Ian Gibson, head of sound and audiovisual at the Royal Lyceum theater in Edinburgh, spent several years planning the upgrade and has led the implementation of the new system.

”The last major renovation of the theater was carried out in the mid-nineties, and since then the public address system has not been replaced or renewed”, explains Gibson. “Many touring companies and production companies did not want to use our outdated system, so we had to constantly dismantle it to adapt it to the temporary equipment of each function. By switching to EM Acoustics, a trusted brand in the theater sector, we will be able to keep our sound system practically intact throughout the year, even during the Edinburgh International Festival”.

Having previously worked with EM Acoustics products in traveling shows, Gibson was confident that the Reference series would be perfect for the theater. “You can always tell when technology is driven by people who are passionate about their work and EM Acoustics is a clear example of this”, states.

The theater, with capacity for 658 personas, consists of three levels: audience, amphitheater and first amphitheater.

In the stalls, of the R8 wide format speakers They are positioned on both sides of the stage to provide complete and uniform coverage. Los subwoofers S15, located below the main R8 speakers in the stalls and discreetly hidden in the amphitheater, provide controlled low frequency reinforcement throughout the room, guaranteeing a complete and balanced sound experience.

The two levels of the amphitheater have particularly low ceilings, which makes it difficult to achieve clear sound in the seats in these mailbox-shaped areas. One by R8 suspended speakers in narrow format They are positioned to cover both levels, along with a pair of dedicated S12 speakers. This coverage extended to the upper seating areas guarantees that the audience at these levels enjoys the same sound experience as those in the stalls..

For optimal vocal intelligibility and directivity, a suspended center cluster of R6 speakers focuses the sound on the stage, allowing the audience to experience speech as naturally as possible, something crucial in live theater production. A network of 20 speakers R4 provides front reinforcement, box delay and reinforcement.

Four units along the edge of the stage cover the first rows, while others 16 They are strategically located in the stalls, the amphitheater and the boxes.

This distributed system eliminates dead zones and ensures uniform sound throughout the auditorium. The system is powered entirely by EM Acoustics installation series amplifiers, providing optimal efficiency and control.

“Each speaker in the Reference series range is incredibly precise and practical. Its sound is impressive”, confirma Gibson. “They have all the qualities of modern loudspeaker technology in terms of pattern control and directivity.”, something we lacked before”.

Inaugurated in 1883, The historic building retains many original elements. The compact design and discreet placement of all sound system components allow the installation to integrate with the Victorian architecture of the Lyceum, while offering the power and versatility needed for modern productions.

Since the installation of the public address system, both theater staff and audiences have noticed great advantages.

“During a recent show with 11 wireless microphones and a stage performance position, managing the sound would have been extremely difficult with our old speakers, especially when it comes to gain before feedback”, explains Gibson. “With the Reference series from EM Acoustics, The system offers much more control and a very natural sound. It really meets expectations”.

The clarity of the sound system has enriched the theater's productions, allowing the actors' voices to project effortlessly throughout the venue and ensuring that every word reaches the audience on all three levels.

By investing in the EM Acoustics reference series, Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum theater has positioned itself to meet the demands of modern productions, while respecting its historic architecture. The precision and elegant sound offered by the Reference series have not only improved vocal intelligibility and sound coverage throughout the venue, but they have also contributed to consolidating its reputation as a space capable of hosting a varied program.

Besides, The system provides a high-performance solution that ensures long-term reliability and can be scaled up or down as needed.

“As we continue to present diverse productions, The EM Acoustics Reference series will continue to be a reliable and powerful solution”, afirma Gibson. “It is a great satisfaction to know that we have the perfect system to offer exceptional audio experiences to both artists and audiences for many years to come”.