The Vilco Convention Centre in Bad Vilbel is being claimed to ‘represent the next evolution of a historic meeting place’. When it first opened, it featured an L-Acoustics A10 sound system designed primarily for speech reinforcement. However, as live music events began taking a more prominent place in the venue’s programming, a full concert-grade system became increasingly essential prompting the management team to approach integrator Aveo for an answer.
Located adjacent to the historic Kurhaus, to the north of Frankfurt, Germany, the facility features a Great Hall with soaring 10m-high ceilings and adaptable configurations that can transform it from a single large event space to multiple smaller spaces through movable walls and adjustable grandstands. Its striking interior showcases more than 15,000sq-m of eucalyptus veneer alongside acoustic panels, creating a warm yet sophisticated atmosphere that connects to the adjacent spa gardens.
Renting in an L-Acoustic K3 system for each performance as a temporary fix proved increasingly challenging, with crews spending hours on complex set-up and teardown procedures for every show.
As an alterative, however, a permanent solution demanded adaptability to provide audio suited to everything everything from corporate events to concerts by touring artists like Manfred Mann, Alphaville and Sisters of Mercy.
‘The changeover from concert to conference configuration is crucial and needs to be both efficient and quick to deploy,’ explains Aveo Commercial Director, Patrick Voccia. ‘With the venue’s movable walls and adjustable grandstands, we required a system that could adapt to different spatial arrangements while maintaining consistent sound throughout.’
L-Acoustics Senior Application Engineer Martin Rode led the design phase using Soundvision software, creating a system that could accommodate the venue’s multiple configurations. The final installation features a left/right system comprising L2 and L2D arrays, with a centre cluster of A10 Focus and A10 Wide speakers. Four KS28 subwoofers are ground-stacked per side, while eight X8 loudspeakers provide fill. The seven A10 speakers from the original installation were repurposed as a mobile sound system for smaller events – smart resource management that maximises the existing investment. The entire system is powered and processed by a P1 processor and four LA7.16i amplified controllers using Milan-AVB.
To accommodate the venue’s transformative nature, the system incorporates innovative rigging solutions. The main arrays are flown from two points – one fixed with steel cable and a second using a hoist system – allowing technicians to quickly lower, adjust angles, and reconfigure the speakers to match the room’s changing layout. This is enhanced by stored presets that can be rapidly implemented for different event types, reducing changeover time from hours to minutes.
‘We chose the L Series based on our extensive positive experience with L-Acoustics across numerous projects,’ notes Emmanuel Pankalla, Sales Manager a Certified L-Acoustics distributor satis&fy, who handled supply and technical support.
‘The system needed to provide the flexibility this unique space demands,’ he says. ‘The preset capability allows the venue to adapt to different events and space configurations efficiently, while the L2 system integrates seamlessly with Vilco’s sophisticated acoustic treatment, creating optimal listening environments for everything from keynote presentations to rock concerts.’
The installation has already proven its worth, with the venue now seamlessly transitioning between hosting international touring acts and high-profile corporate conferences without the previous logistical burden. The system’s versatility particularly shines during Bad Vilbel’s busiest periods, when the venue might host a business summit in the morning and a concert that same evening.
‘Our goal was to create a system that delivers concert-quality sound while allowing for quick reconfigurations without compromising safety standards,’ Voccia concludes. ‘The L-Acoustics solution meets these requirements perfectly, giving Vilco the flexibility to serve its diverse programming needs while maintaining the acoustic excellence that both audiences and artists expect.’
More: www.l-acoustics.com