L-Acoustics systems synchronize sound from the Green Music Center auditorium at Sonoma University

The new sound system, based on L-Acoustics solutions, of the Green Music Center allows a personalized and synchronized acoustics of the 1.400 concert hall seating with outdoor area, with capacity for others 5.000 more.

The Donald and Maureen Green Music Center is a performing arts complex located in the heart of Northern California's wine country.. Located on the campus of Sonoma State University, the facilities integrate multiple places of operation as an area dedicated to music education, extensive outdoor spaces and a restaurant.

This building was inaugurated in the autumn of 2012 with a concert hall for 1.400 seats, with balconies surrounding the auditorium and the back of the stage. On the other hand, the rear wall opens onto a large garden with capacity for more than 5.000 additional people.

When it was decided to install a new sound system, the challenge posed by the University was to find a solution that would allow the hall to host both classical music concerts and the wide variety of non-classical artists who perform there such as Ben Harper, Jason Mraz, Lyle Lovett and Stewart Copeland. For the first option the room had the right acoustics but for the second type of events it needed a solution that provided the right sound. In addition, it was necessary to take into account the space enabled outdoors to expand the number of seats when the needs required it.

To respond to these challenges, the karai WST line source modular system from the French manufacturer was chosen. L-Acoustics completed with the K2 line array system, ideal for outdoor applications.

Designed and installed by the integrator Solotech, the chosen solution integrates a total of 18 Karai teams, nine on each side flown over the stage, with four Arcs Focus for the rear seating area. Complete the interior coverage 19 5Xt, four SB18i subwoofers stacked on stage. The room system is powered by four La8 amplifiers (4x1800W) and two LA4 (4x1000w) of the French manufacturer that incorporate digital processor.

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander has a close relationship with Sonoma State University and oversaw the system design and specifications for the campus exterior., which was also installed by Solotech. For this area it was chosen two to install 22 line array modules K2, configured in two locks of 11 boxes each, and complemented by a central constant curvature matrix of six Arcs II. LF is delivered via eight SB28s in four sets per side, while a dozen LA8s drive all the sound through this outdoor space.

“We were asking a lot from a PA system to provide a 360 seamless degrees inside the room, as well as in the seats located outside. It was important that people were able to have a consistent experience no matter where they were heard from.. In fact, there are two separate sound systems that have to operate and function as if they were one”, explains Jerry Uhlig, Technical Director and Production Manager of Weill Hall.

The combination of the various L-Acoustics components also allows customization for each of the concerts., whose process is carried out thanks to the integration of a control system of speakers operated with an iPad from any point of the installation.

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