MONTPELLIER, France — Working with A+ Architects and Enjoy Group, SLS equipped the newly-constructed Arena Montpellier with an audio system for use with sporting and corporate events, along with a full digital networking and intercom system for the venue. Adamson’s Metrix system was chosen after a shootout with gear from three other manufacturers. The centrally-flown configuration can change to standard L-R for special events.
More information from Adamson Systems (www.adamsonsystems.com):
Arena Montpellier Equipped with Adamson
TORONTO — Arena Montpellier is a newly constructed venue located in the Mediterranean city of Montpellier in the province of Languedoc-Roussillon, and is the fastest growing city in all of France. Montpellier is a expected stop for all top international touring acts, including Bruce Springsteen, Cirque du Soleil, and Shakira, and home to the annual WTA tennis event ‘Sud the France’ among other professional level of sporting events such as basketball and horse jumping.
The Municipality of Montpellier commissioned the project and engaged the acclaimed architect firm A+ Architects to design, and Enjoy Group to oversee the construction of an 17,000 seat, international-size indoor arena. Interesting architectural choices were made for the surface of the building, in addition to the ultra modern building design the Architect firm is known for. A company called Arval introduced a product called ‘Imageo’ to the market, which is used in the design. Imageo enables images and graphics to be integrated into façades, on a large scale using printed sheet of steel. Whether large multi-colored landscape panoramas, pictures of individual objects, drawings and writing by famous artists, or simply a company logo, it enables projection directly into the polyester coating of the steel sheet, thus providing boundless possibilities for customized façade design.
After a tender for the new building’s sound design, the sound company SLS was chosen by Enjoy Group over the other competitors. The contract consisted of a permanent PA for use in sports and corporate events, as well as a full digital networking and intercom system for the venue. SLS founded in 2001, the SLS team is made up of 15 full time employees and 140 freelancers, with headquarters in a 36,000sq ft building in Ales, and a secondary location in Montpellier. SLS also have a dedicated permanent installations department.
For the tender the challenge was twofold: a proper coverage and sufficient SPL, but the system would need to be versatile and adjustable to suit each individual event. Four brands were selected to demonstrate their designs for the venue, two well known French and German manufacturers, as well as a local regional manufacturer, went head to head with Adamson. According to Guy Vignet, Managing Director of DV2, Adamson distributor for France, during the shootout the Metrix system was superior on all aspects: “The clarity and coverage as second to none, it was the only system to achieve 100dB A weighted at 45 meters (145feet).
The Metrix system is also the most flexible solution, catering for the venue’s regular sporting events and also for its demanding corporate and live events. Not only is the Metrix system incredibly compact, but it packs a lot of punch meaning that it is a great choice when speech intelligibility and aesthetics are a concern, but can also deliver with high level music replay and live acts. Adamson offer both a touring version (-t) with the integrated AIR rigging system, which is known for its remarkable ease of use, and an install version (-i) which utilizes a plate rigging system to save on cost .
The touring version was chosen so the usual centrally flown configuration could be quickly dismantled and be easily set up as in a standard LR configuration for various events when the need arises. The Metrix Line-Array systems consist of 3 products. The 2-way enclosures, the Metrix 5 degree (vertical coverage) and the Metrix W (15 degree vertical coverage), both utilize an 8.5″ Neodymium Kevlar woofer and high frequency waveguide technology, and have a wide 120 degrees of horizontal coverage. The Metrix W can be used for short throw and downfill applications, and when budget does not allow for sufficient vertical coverage with 5 degree elements. The Metrix Sub is a flyable Cardioid double Neodymium Kevlar 15″ subwoofer enclosure. Eight additional Adamson contractor series Point 12 cabinets were strategically distributed on the ground. Adamson Point Series utilizes the same advanced Kevlar driver technology as their touring counterparts, and features 5 flexible products aimed for the contractor market. The entire PA system is powered by Lab.gruppen C88:4 installation series amplifiers and processed with XTA 424 products. A Digigram Ethersound ES200 distributes the mix signal to the amplifier positions.
