L'Acoustics installs its Kara system in the iconic Chilean theater of Viña del Mar

After a complex restoration, the Municipal Theatre of Viña del Mar has a powerful technical infrastructure, in which the new sound system of L'Acoustics, made up of VGL.

Famous for its colonial architecture and the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, this Chilean city is one of the most visited in the country. One of its iconic spaces is its theater, currently already restored, after being one of the heritage buildings damaged by the earthquake of magnitude 8,8 in the year 2010.

On the occasion of its restoration, the theater has deployed a modern technological infrastructure in which the installation of the sound system stands out Kara of L'Acoustics, supplied and integrated by your certified distributor for Chile, VGL.

"Our team was first involved in the bidding process for the entire technical facility., when the local municipality approved the renovation work, remember Cristian Osorio, live audio solutions and installations in VGL-. We work with Alex Soto, by L-Acoustics, creating initial preliminary designs for a new sound system for the theatre auditorium".

Due to the earthquake and the significant damage caused to the structure of the building, this audio project has been delayed for several years, in addition to the pandemic, as Osorio recalls: "while we were waiting for the project to be reactivated, we improve the initial design. This meant that when we went back to the theatre to present our work., we were sure we had a winning design.".

In this sense, "L'Acoustics' Kara system was the best solution, for its design and compact to avoid structural damage to the building, as required by the theatre equipment, and for its powerful SPL", adds Osorio.

Before installation, a special metal structure earthquake resistant to keep the Kara system in place on stage. An additional metal frame reinforced this area to ensure that both the cabinets and the rest of the building moved in the same direction if another earthquake occurred..

"Often, when the ground shakes during strong earthquakes, the structure of the building also begins to wobble. The static weight of the Kara system could potentially be transformed into a dynamic weight, swaying in the opposite direction to the rest of the theatre building, creating a real danger to the solidity of the structure, Osorio points out.. To ensure that the system moved in the same direction, we installed the second frame inside the original metal structure and added four engines from the German manufacturer Movecat".

The final design comprises twelve Hung Kara teams per side (right and left), with two other groups of four SB18 subwoofer by L-Acoustics. The front filling is made with six 5Xt, evenly distributed at the edge of the stage.

In addition, another twelve 5XTs have been installed under the stage balcony, which are completed with four more for delays. The system is managed with a P1 processor by L-Acoustics, with five amplifiers LA12X, that control the PA. In the front-fill a LA4X and another one for delays, all connected to an AVB data point via an AES or analog signal.

The stage monitor system consists of fifteen X12 speakers, four ARCS Focus, four SB18 subwoofer for padding on the sides, plus another SB15; that are controlled with LA12X and LA4X.

As Osorio assures, "literally, there is no other theater in Chile with so many X12 floor monitors available. We are completely unique in that regard.. The opening of the theatre to the public, in the second quarter of 2022 it's been spectacular".

Other articles on L-Acoustics, Movecat, Municipal Theatre of Viña del Mar, VGL