Sweden’s Borås Stadsteater invests in TiMax SoundHub and Tracker for high-precision sound
Sweden’s Borås Stadsteater invests in TiMax SoundHub and Tracker for high-precision sound
Sweden – Sweden’s Borås City Theater took the opportunity during a renovation to simultaneously break down barriers for the most effective sound presence for its audience. The venue reinvested in a new speaker system spatially of a Dante-equipped TiMax SoundHub spatial sound engine complete with a TiMax Tracker stage tracking system.
A flexible sound system was of utmost importance for the municipality-run theater with a capacity of 500. Although spoken dramatic productions predominate, with classical productions and newly written equal terms, the productions at Stadsteatern cater to the demands of the audience and range from modern circus to musicals and ballet to pop concerts.
Borås Stadsteater’s sound manager Tobias Walka specified all parts of the sound installation including TiMax SoundHub and TiMax Tracker. He explained: “We looked at the market and based on the benefits of the system, TiMax seemed to be the best option for us. Also, with the proximity of Folkteatern in Gothenburg, we benefit from their long knowledge and experience of TiMax, knowing that they would be able to provide us advice should the need arise.”
The intimate theater opted for an unconventional speaker setup, with Alcon Audio LR7s making up the main suspensions in an LCR configuration, supported by four 18-inch flying subs. On stage, Alcon’s RR12s are positioned as upstage fills and side fills. Fourteen Alcon point source speakers provide the surround element of the localized sound and Walka explains: “The immersive experience for the audience when paired with the power of the TiMax system is truly exceptional.”
Walka chose a package of 20 tags for the TiMax Tracker, while only four TiMax Tracker sensors monitor every movement for the highest degree of accuracy and responsiveness. The four sensors are all positioned to point towards the center area of the stage from their positions four meters above the stage: two at the back of the stage and two placed a couple of meters out into the auditorium.
Although tracking is not often required for productions at Borås Stadsteater, Walka is quick to highlight the invaluable advantages of PanSpace in the TiMax SoundHub. “It’s taken our sound design to a completely different place,” he insists.
In Walka’s words: “PanSpace has given us the ability to place and move sound throughout the stage and auditorium with such ease and precision, and the magical result is truly amazing. Before TiMax, it wasn’t possible for us to do the kind of sound design that we can now. We have many more options.”
However, the true measure of high-quality sound is how the audience feels about it. Walka adds: “As sound engineers, we know that the only time someone comments on the sound is usually when there is something wrong. Since we started using the TiMax, however, the audience has cited the sound as one of the evening’s memorable experiences. I attribute that to TiMax bringing our sound design to a level where it is noticeable even to a relatively ‘untrained’ ear.”
photos: Amerlia Bordahl
