JChenault
Well-Known Member
I am serving as chairman of a building committee for a theatre renovation. As such I need to be part of making some decisions about a new sound system. I know little about current sound equipment and am trying to find out of our consultants recommendation is over the top or not.
We are a large community theatre that does only musicals - annual budget around one million. The house is a converted movie theatre that currently seats 379. ( 399 after the renovation). Part of the renovation is to put in an orchestra pit and re-work the sound system. We currently use wireless mikes and expect to continue to do so.
The proscenium arch in the renovated space will be 32 feet wide. The auditorium is 60 feet wide side wall to side wall. We expect to do some scenes on the apron which will be 45 feet wide.
Our primary desire is for reinforcing singing. Some sound effects, but that is not what we are designing for. The consultant is suggesting:
My questions:
Thanks in advance for the feedback. Apologies if this has been covered in the past.
We are a large community theatre that does only musicals - annual budget around one million. The house is a converted movie theatre that currently seats 379. ( 399 after the renovation). Part of the renovation is to put in an orchestra pit and re-work the sound system. We currently use wireless mikes and expect to continue to do so.
The proscenium arch in the renovated space will be 32 feet wide. The auditorium is 60 feet wide side wall to side wall. We expect to do some scenes on the apron which will be 45 feet wide.
Our primary desire is for reinforcing singing. Some sound effects, but that is not what we are designing for. The consultant is suggesting:
A new 32-channel, Left / Center / Right (LCR) digital mixing console
located in the performance space will be provided and will connect all input locations into the speakers. The digital console will allow for simple preset “scene” setup and recall to specific mixer configurations for consistency of use and for rapid recall of settings during a performance. The mixing console will connect to the house sound system via multi-pin connectors (CIP’s) and associated short length (15’) of multi-pin to fan snake cable.
A new LCR speaker system is to be provided to allow for realistic reproduction of speech, music and program content and to allow for cogent sound reproduction localization of the stage panorama through the speaker system. In addition, a 4- channel effects / monitor sound system with portable speakers is provided to allow for stage foldback (monitoring) of audio content and for sound effect playback.
located in the performance space will be provided and will connect all input locations into the speakers. The digital console will allow for simple preset “scene” setup and recall to specific mixer configurations for consistency of use and for rapid recall of settings during a performance. The mixing console will connect to the house sound system via multi-pin connectors (CIP’s) and associated short length (15’) of multi-pin to fan snake cable.
A new LCR speaker system is to be provided to allow for realistic reproduction of speech, music and program content and to allow for cogent sound reproduction localization of the stage panorama through the speaker system. In addition, a 4- channel effects / monitor sound system with portable speakers is provided to allow for stage foldback (monitoring) of audio content and for sound effect playback.
My questions:
- With this size of theatre do we really need a LCR speaker cluster?
- How would an operator be able to do a live mix of voices and also pan output appropriately? Would he simply select where the sound comes from, or are we trying to map each microphone to a separate speaker?
- Is the preset concept really useful or is it just something to spend money on.
- Our sound operators are usually volunteers who have learned on the job. Is this kind of console adding too much complexity to the operation or is a higher end console going to be simple to use.
Thanks in advance for the feedback. Apologies if this has been covered in the past.