A new cultural landmark in central Norway, Trondheim’s Nye Hjorten Teater offers a diverse programme of musicals, dramas, comedies and family productions supported by an extensive Alcons pro-ribbon sound system throughout.
Designed by Skibnes Arkitekter, Nye Hjorten Teater features a 607-seat main hall alongside a more intimate 100-capacity secondary venue. The owners required an audio solution capable of handling everything from full-scale musical productions and concerts to spoken-word theatre performances, while maintaining exceptional clarity and coverage throughout every audience area.
‘The customer’s requirement was a system that combined outstanding sonic performance with seamless integration into the venue architecture,’ explains system designer and project leader Arnstein Fossvik, who worked alongside site supervisor and lead technician Steffen Wevang Karlsen on the installation. ‘Alcons’ scalable product range and consistent sound signature made it the ideal choice.’
The main hall system is centred on an LCR configuration of Alcons LR15 ultra-compact pro-ribbon line-array modules, supported by flown BC543 triple 18-inch cardioid subwoofers for low-end reinforcement. Additional stage coverage is provided by SR9 double 5-inch lip-fill systems and QR24 arrays, while further LR15 delay arrays and VR5 under-balcony systems ensure even coverage throughout the theatre. The venue also uses CRMS pro-ribbon surround loudspeakers for immersive productions, and VR12 and VR8 monitor systems on stage. The set-up is driven and managed by Alcons Sentinel four-channel amplified loudspeaker controllers.
‘This project presented several acoustic and operational challenges,’ says Fossvik. ‘The main arrays had to be flown higher than ideal because of the venue’s 3D flying system, while the FOH position is located far under the balcony with no direct sightline to the PA. Strategic placement of fills and delays ensured consistent coverage across the entire room.’
Elsewhere in the venue, the secondary Lille Hjorten hall employs VR12, VR8 and BF181 systems for flexible live performance use, while the lobby, theatre bar and Olgas restaurant all feature distributed Alcons systems for background music, speech, DJ and smaller live performances.
‘One of the greatest strengths of the Alcons platform is its sonic consistency across every product category,’ Fossvik observes. ‘From compact VR5 systems in the restaurant to the LR15 arrays in the main theatre, the sound character remains remarkably cohesive.’
Another key benefit for the venue’s technical team is the integration of ALControl remote management software, providing comprehensive system monitoring, configuration and control across the entire installation. ‘The client wanted a genuine five-star experience,’ Fossvik says. ‘With Alcons, we were able to deliver exactly that.’
More: www.alconsaudio.com