With its convergence of science, music and art, Paris’ Parc de la Villette is among Europe’s most dynamic cultural districts. It is home to cultural institutions including the Philharmonie de Paris to Europe’s largest science museum and the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, well as the Grande Halle de la Villette which hosts showcasing everything from international art exhibitions to rock concerts and avant-garde theatre.
Having been among the world’s first V-Dosc installations in the mid-1990s, the Grande Halle has now restated its place at the forefront of performing arts technology with an L-Acoustics L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound system.
Originally commissioned by Napoleon III as an abattoir in 1867, the 20,000sq-m structure was reimagined as a cultural venue in 1985, and now features L-Acoustics newest eco-conscious L Series line source arrays alongside a dedicated pre-production studio with L-Acoustics X Series coaxial loudspeakers.
The semi-permanent 1,400-capacity Charlie Parker performance space, constructed each spring and operational for six months, makes primary use of the L Series L-ISA system, continuing a tradition of audio innovation that began when the venue hosted the world’s first major live event using L-ISA technology during the 2016 Jazz à La Villette festival.
‘We’ve observed a significant shift in production requirements over recent years,’ says Head of Audiovisual, Olivier Olry. ‘Increasingly sophisticated dance and theatre companies are specifically requesting immersive audio capabilities in their technical riders. Rather than merely keeping pace with this trend, we decided to position ourselves at its leading edge by investing in a complete L-Acoustics L-ISA ecosystem.’
The ambitious project emerged through close collaboration between La Villette’s technical team and L-Acoustics Certified Partner B Live. ‘The requirements for both the Charlie Parker theatre and the dedicated pre-production studio demanded meticulous planning to integrate seamlessly with existing workflows while delivering unprecedented spatial audio capabilities,’ says B Live Technical Director, Alexandre Tramontin.
Bringing this technology into a protected historical environment presented challenges: the Grande Halle’s glass ceiling and metal framework required a creative approach in order to deliver consistent spatial imaging. ‘The physical constraints were significant when planning the five L2 array positions needed for the L-ISA implementation,’ Olry explains. ‘Beyond typical acoustic considerations, we needed to respect the building’s architectural integrity while maintaining sightlines. The L Series exceptional size-to-performance ratio proved crucial, allowing us to achieve proper coverage without overwhelming the space visually.’
The Charlie Parker performance space features five hangs of one L-Acoustics L2 over an L2D spread across the stage, while 13 X8i across the stage lip provide spatial front fill. Two centrally flown cardioid arrays of three KS28 subwoofers provide controlled low-frequency reinforcement. Twelve X12 coaxial loudspeakers – four each on the side and back walls – provide surround. The system is driven by 11 LA7.16, two LA12X and three LA4X amplified controllers.
The L-ISA technology at La Villette fundamentally transforms how different performance types connect with audiences. For dance productions, choreographic movements can now be precisely tracked and sonically mirrored throughout the space, creating a synesthetic experience where sound follows motion. Theatrical performances benefit from voice localisation that anchors performers’ positions regardless of audience sightlines, while contemporary music showcases can now envelop listeners in three-dimensional soundscapes that transcend the limitations of stereo.
‘What’s particularly revolutionary is how L-ISA adapts to each artistic discipline,’ Tramontin says. ‘From the subtlest theatrical whisper precisely positioned in space to explosive musical moments that completely surround the audience, the system’s flexibility matches the creative versatility of La Villette’s programming.’
The purpose-built pre-production studio features a permanently installed coaxial L-ISA set-up with X8i and X6i loudspeakers and Syva subwoofers. Using L-ISA Scale Simulation, the studio environment can mimic the Grand Halle, allowing easy transfer and optimisation during pre-production. Both environments employ L-ISA Processor II for spatial audio rendering and signal management. A Yamaha PM7 Rivage digital mixing console with L-ISA DeskLink integration provides intuitive control over spatial parameters directly from the mixing desk.
With the system now operational, La Villette’s technical team has begun exploring additional technologies, including performer tracking systems for dynamic spatial positioning in real-time. The L-ISA Stereo Mapper functionality, a feature within the L-ISA 3.0 platform that allows users to bring stereo content into an immersive L-ISA configuration, ensuring productions remain coherent even when translated to traditional stereo formats.
‘With this landmark installation, La Villette not only houses one of the most comprehensive L-Acoustics ecosystems in Europe but serves as a beacon for the future of immersive performance,’ Olry says. ‘The L Series with L-ISA technology doesn’t just reproduce sound – it fundamentally transforms how audiences connect with artistic expression in this historic space, bridging centuries of cultural heritage with sound innovation that must be experienced to be fully understood.’
More: www.l-acoustics.com