Stéphane Gramondo, L-Acoustics’ permanent installation project manager, was in charge of evaluating the needs for this specific attraction at the Puy du Fou. He explains: "We opted for four clusters of three dV-DOSC which were integrated into the columns and tables of the scenery. The clusters were located at a slightly higher point than the actors and animals’ locations during the show, thereby allowing a very even sound pressure level within the arena."
Four SB218 subwoofers were also installed into the columns, with dV-DOSC clusters situated on top. Three dV-DOSC and four EX112 loudspeakers plus 2 SB115 were dedicated to the Governor’s rostrum and three dV-DOSC and two EX112 loudspeakers plus two SB115 were dedicated to the patrician. Stéphane Gramondo continues: "The three dV-DOSC cluster within the stadium has a vertical coverage pattern of 12° (with a variable SPL of between 102 and 109 dB(A)) and the horizontal coverage for each cluster is 120° at -6dB point, thereby enabling an homogeneous and coherent coverage of the entire audience geometry. Laurent Albert, technical director of the Puy du Fou, comments: "Results in terms of intelligibility are astonishing, I have heard people during the show asking ‘where does the sound come from’!"
This particular audio installation is in fact a collaboration between La Boîte à Sons, an audio service provider and rental company, the Puy du Fou Theme Park and L-Acoustics, through their technical support department. Due to the success of the Gallo-Roman success, the Puy du Fou have already committed themselves to L-Acoustics for next year, for the 'Cinéscénie' show (night show between theatre and cinema). Again, this operation will be the result of a collaboration between the three companies. The equipment will consist of 24 V-DOSC and six ARCS loudspeakers, plus 18 SB218 subwoofers, 35 LA48a and three LA24a amplifiers. Laurent Albert underlines: "This is the 25th year that the Puy du Fou present the Cinéscénie, and annually more than 400,000 visitors attend the show (which adds up to a total audience of six million since its inception)."
(Lee Baldock)
