Recognised as one of Germany’s finest live jazz venues, the Theaterstübchen Kassel began a programme of renovation beginning in 2012, that has now seen a new public address system installed. The venue’s operator, Markus Knierim, followed the recommendation of sound engineer Rolf Dressler and chose a pro-ribbon system from Alcons Audio.
Auditiv installed two Alcons pro-ribbon LR7 micro line-array in the 120-seat (300 without seating) large Theaterstübchen (Little Theatre Room), supplemented by one Alcons BF151 as bass support. The system is driven and managed by an Alcons ALC2 (2 x 1kW) controller. Dressler reports that, although small, the system ‘is absolutely sufficient for 95 per cent of the events in the room’.
The LR7 is a passive two-way loudspeaker system, equipped with a 4-inch pro-ribbon transducer. Although very small and only 8kg/17.6lb in weight, the system offers intelligibility and outstanding impulse response, making it a good match for jazz sound reinforcement.
As a freelance sound technician since 1986, Dressler has long favoured Alcons systems: ‘I’ve known Alcons since the first hour, and to this day there is nothing better for me in the mid and high frequency range. Anyone who is looking for a system that reinforces one-to-one what comes in, inevitably lands at Alcons.
‘There is nothing you cannot do with it,’ he adds. ‘The really amazing thing about the LR7 is that it offers – despite the small size – plenty of headroom.’
Dressler also often uses the larger Alcons QR24 or QR36 line-source columns at other events. ‘The system in the Theaterstübchen runs well over 200 days each year. In addition to the full live programme, there is a disco every Friday and Saturday. In the three years that we are working with the LR7, there have been no failures or any other problems.’
‘Bass legend Ron Carter had so much joy in the sonic experience that, according to his manager, he played a much longer set than planned,’ Dressler says. ‘Also the artists’ sound technicians ask me howwe produce this incredible sound – that’s the pro-ribbon of Alcons Audio.’
The theatre is about to start hosting pop/rock concerts, and has already welcomed Molly Hatchet and Berlin band MIA. When required, the existing Alcons system is supplemented by Auditiv, with a double 18-inch subwoofer per side as well as two Alcons RR12 pro-ribbon point-source array per side. An Alcons Sentinel S10 (4 x 2.5kW) provides the drive and control of the extended system.
In 2015, the Theaterstübchen received the Kassel Kulturpreis (Culture Award) for its JazzFrühling series of events, which attracts enthusiastic jazz fans from all over the country.
