The Tsukuba Capio complex in Tsukuba City, part of Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture, incorporates indoor sports halls, theatres and meeting rooms. Opened in 1996, the 2,739-capacity Capio Hall hosts theatre and dance, and recently underwent a major sound system overhaul that included adopting new Martin Audio’s Torus as its main PA.
The theatre’s technical needs are supported by rental company Sigma Communications: ‘Originally, the proscenium centre loudspeakers were exposed and a cluster of several point-source systems was flown from the grid,’ explains Sigma Technical Manager, Nobuhito Endo.
‘Naturally, we considered using a line array replacement but found a problem – while the hall wasn’t very deep, the three-storey horseshoe layout of the auditorium was vertically too great for the coverage angles.
‘It was quite clear that a considerable number of line array cabinets would be needed if we wanted to provide complete vertical area coverage from its highest point, without converging on the frame of the stage.’
It was then that Martin Audio’s Torus Constant Curvature array entered the thinking. Torus offers a practical solution for venues with high ceilings but requiring short throw. For a 15-to-30m deep hall, full-blown line arrays are impractical and cost-prohibitive, however, a point source solution such as Torus is able to provide sufficient coverage and SPL. As a constant curvature array, Torus combines optimised coverage, SPL and cost efficiency.
During the renovation process, a vertical array comprising four cabinets – two each of Torus T1215 and T1230, offering 15° and 30° vertical dispersion respectively – were deployed in grids at the proscenium to cover the vertical, angled to deliver the sound from the third floor to the front seat of the first floor. Further, a Martin Audio XD12 supplemented by SX118 subwoofer, was chosen for the side column and powered by iK42 DSP amplifiers. Six Blackline X8 were selected for fill and balcony seating coverage.
‘Originally, we planned a front wide/back narrow dispersion pattern, but as we adjusted this while listening to the sound, we discovered that specifying everything to a horizontal 90° would give a better coverage,’ says Takahisa Ota, who was responsible for tuning the system. ‘In that way, the proscenium could cover 80 per cent of the venue. We adjusted the delays and SPL of the Blackline X8s so that they blended into the proscenium, to cover the remaining tiny area. You can adjust the angle of the Torus waveguide even with grilles attached, and this flexibility is such an advantage in situations like this.’
‘Capio Hall has to meet the requirements of various types of public events,’ adds Endo-san. ‘Recently, students’ dance presentations have been taking place frequently, and consequently a higher level of sound has been required. In this application, Torus and the subwoofers have enough headroom to cope, and I am extremely satisfied with the choice of the new sound system.’
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