Set on the waterfront in the North Wales seaside resort of Rhyl, the Pavilion Theatre hosts theatre production and music tours, and comedy acts, and holds an important role at the heart of the local community, staging local cultural events and school productions. When Technical Manager Andy Hughes was tasked with replacing the existing PA with a modern, versatile system capable of handling everything, one brand came immediately to mind.

‘I had heard a lot of systems in the theatre over the years from touring shows, including many big-named brands and Nexo always really stood out sound wise.’

Hughes approached entertainment technology specialists AC Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET), where Senior Audio Sales Executive Steve Eaton turned to the Engineering Support Team at the Nexo Campus in France to design a system for the 1,031-seat venue.

With an extensive history in theatre sound, Nexo Engineering Support Manager Bertrand Billon was the perfect person for the job. ‘Designing a groundstacked system for a multi-level theatre is always a challenge,’ he says. ‘It’s important to strike the right balance between long throw and not overpowering the audience at the front.

‘At the Pavilion Theatre, we took advantage of stacking Geo-M10 on top of the MSub18s, giving us the extra height required to avoid creating a hot spot in the front rows. The removable directivity flanges helped us to achieve this soft spot at the front, changing the horizontal directivity from 90° to 120° without requiring a completely different version of the cabinet.

‘Nexo NS-1 prediction software allowed us to create an accurate model of the venue,’ Billon continues. ‘This enabled us to discuss options and constraints with the team at the theatre prior to installation. It also made our onsite fine-tuning session quick and easy, providing additional time to train the crew in using Nexo’s Nemo remote-control software, and also NS-1 so they can successfully deploy the system in remote locations for special events.’

‘Nexo were very helpful and accommodating, leaving us with a system for a week to test within the theatre to ensure we were happy’ says Hughes. ‘All this, along with the support from AC-ET, even through the pandemic, helped make the decision.’

AC-ET supplied more than 65 products from the Nexo range, including; Geo-M10 line array modules, MSub18 subs, ID24 speakers for front fill and beaming sound under balconies to ensure even coverage throughout the venue, NXAmp Mk2 powered controllers and P+ series point source loudspeakers. Only the ID24s are permanently installed, providing the flexibility to use the system at events at other locations, as and when they occur.

The system was installed by the theatre’s house staff. ‘Using the NS-1 software, our team was able to install and configure the Nexo system and it sounded great,’ Hughes reports. ‘We then had the Nexo experts come and help us fine tune. The finished result is absolutely outstanding.’

AC-ET’s Steve Eaton adds: ‘I’ve been working with Andy and Leon at the Pavilion on this project for a couple of years now, so it’s great to see it all come together. The system had to be extremely versatile to use in the theatre itself, the outdoor arena next door, plus all the other venues and sport centres under their jurisdiction. The combination of Nexo’s GEO M10 line array and their stunning new P+ series speakers helped us deliver the versatility required.’