A comprehensive modernisation its audio systems has seen Germany's Erlangen Theatre install a 32-fader Stage Tec Crescendo-T mixing console on an existing Nexus network.

As some of the network elements were 14 years old, these were also inspected and renewed as needed, and a Stage Tec Base Device and router added. As part of the revamp, the theatre is now able to use two PA systems in parallel – in a traditional format and for 3D audio.

Systems integrator Wilhelm & Willhalm installed a 3D audio system from Astro Spatial Audio and 70 distributed loudspeakers over four levels of seating, in the theatre boxes and on the balustrade in the auditorium. The system also employs the classic left, centre, right and stage edge sound configuration.

The special feature of the installation is that the sound engineer can use both the traditional sound system and the 3D audio system simultaneously during the performance. There is no need for preparation or for switching. This unique installation in a theatre is made possible by combining the signals from the Astro Spatial System and the direct bus outputs from Crescendo-T via combiners in the Nexus system. This makes parallel operation possible.

‘Bringing these two systems together – the classic sound system and the 3D audio system – requires a router, and Nexus is unique in this respect,’ explains Wilhelm & Willhalm Project Manager, Thomas Dürrbeck. ‘Cooperation with Stage Tec on this project has been very close and friendly. For example, the Berliners accommodated the theatre’s requests for changes to the layout and function assignments until shortly before the mixing console was completed.

Another unusual feature of this installation is that all five screens can be switched from Crescendo-T to video, so that it is possible to display the outputs from PCs, stage and orchestra cameras. Erlangen is one of the first theatres to also use the Waves integration in Crescendo-T.

The Erlangen Theatre opted for Crescendo-T because the compact console offers both snapshot and scene automation. For quick access, the console has eight custom theatre-key assignments on its surface and two additional metal buttons for Play and Previous Snapshots are located in the armrest. Crescendo-T was also chosen because of its rapid start-up and extremely short snapshot response times (recall speed <10ms) as well as direct access to EQ, dynamics, auxes and similar. Now that Crescendo-T has been in use for three months, the Erlangen Theatre reports that it is very impressed by the quality of the audio signal processing.