Set alongside its 102m-high bell tower, Siena’s 2,500-capacity Piazza del Campo hosts events ranging from seasonal celebrations to music festivals, throughout the year and attracts visitors from around the world to experience its historical architectural beauty. Over the past three summers, it has been the setting for the Concerto per l’Italia, featuring international orchestras and soloists.
Most recently, Sound D-Light – a recent addition to L-Acoustics L-ISA Rental Network – was handed the responsibility to design and install a suitable sound system. This assignment was facilitated by Sound D-Light’s existing professional relationship with Sisme, L-Acoustics’ long-standing Certified Provider Distributor in Italy.
The aim was to deliver clear sound all across the 333m,U-shaped square, not only for the seated audience, but also for the patrons in nearby bars and restaurants. L-Acoustics’ L-ISA spatial sound technology was the preferred solution, using more than 100 Kara II loudspeakers.
A Scene system of seven hangs of 12 Kara II was set above the stage area, with two hangs of four KS28 subwoofers flown in the centre. An additional two hangs of 12 Kara II provided out fill. Spatial fill was via seven 12XT coaxial loudspeakers across the stage lip, providing immersive sound to the front rows. The system was powered by eight LA-RakII Milan AVB amplifier racks.
‘We achieved an impressive sound image, offering the audience genuine and natural spatial sound,’ says Davide ‘Red’ Battistelli, the FOH engineer who managed the spatial sound mix via L-ISA Controller, supporting Production Sound Engineer, Giacomo De Caterini during the symphony orchestra performance.’
L-ISA immersive audio technology enabled Sound D-Light to deliver coverage throughout the square, while avoiding potential difficulties normally encountered with a classic LR or LCR system such as interference, and visual-to-audio mis-localisation of the real sources on stage,’ adds PA engineer Andrea Flamini. ‘It was a challenging and rewarding experience with an outstanding result, achieved through the collaboration between Sound D-Light engineers and L-Acoustics application engineers Tom Laveuf and Martin Wurmnest.’
