With numerous resident amateur arts ensembles and more than 200 events spanning pop, jazz, rock and classical music, theatre, film screenings, conferences and folk festivals in its calendar, Latvia’s Ogres Kultūras Centrs is now meeting these commitments with a new L-Acoustics sound system.
Built in 1988 to a design by architects Oļģerts Krauklis and Biruta Burčika, the venue’s present-day operation made consistency and versatility of its sound system non-negotiable. For Ronalds Luknis, Application Engineer at VGD Project – the L-Acoustics Certified Provider called in to handle the project from system design through to technical supervision and performance validation – the brief was clear: ‘Our goal was to achieve a system that delivers consistent, high-quality sound across the entire hall. It needed to be detailed and musical at low levels, yet powerful and controlled for live concerts.’
The new system comprises six L-Acoustics A15i Focus and two A15i Wide line array elements paired with six KS21i subwoofers. Four X8i point-sourse loudspeakers installed in the ceiling, served as delays for the rear seating areas, while four 4Xi coaxial systems provide front fill for the first three rows.
Before optimisation of the system was begun, the team conducted thorough baseline measurements in the hall. This diagnostic phase confirmed what the Soundvision model had predicted: the system had the right components in the right positions. Translating that potential into consistent, room-wide performance required careful alignment and optimisation.
The physical installation was carried out by Rock Distribution, a professional audio distributor serving the Baltic market, in conjunction with VGD Project. This division of responsibility, with VGD Project leading system design, modelling and calibration, and Rock Distribution handling deployment, helped to deliver a result that met the venue’s specific performance requirements. L-Acoustics engineer Sergey Zhitnikov led the calibration process and established a clear baseline before making any adjustments.
Working from a Soundvision model, the team created an LA Network Manager file and completed the majority of the fine-tuning there. ‘Most of the parameter optimisation was handled directly through filter work in Soundvision,’ says Zhitnikov. ‘The next step involved detailed acoustic measurements using measurement microphones to refine the frequency response and time alignment. Delay settings were then adjusted to bring all system elements into phase.
‘Once phase alignment and low-frequency control were addressed, the system started working as a single instrument,’ he continues. ‘The clarity and low-end balance improved dramatically across the entire hall.’
While further upgrades are already planned, the system at Ogres Kultūras Centrs already stands as a strong reference point for professional sound system installation in the region. For Luknis, the project demonstrates what a properly executed calibration can achieve. ‘The system is powerful and provides great coverage anywhere in the hall,’ he concludes. ‘It can be detailed at low volumes, but it can also be turned up loud without listener fatigue, which is ultimately what any venue should be able to offer.’
More: www.l-acoustics.com