Norwegian Arts Venue installs top HARMAN pro audio tech

The 1,185-seat Concert Hall is the largest space at the venue. It was equipped with a massive amount of JBL loudspeaker tech. This included 24 VERTEC VT4887DP-DA  compact line array elements, a centre cluster of two VP7212/64DP-DA and a single VP7212/95DP-DA  loudspeaker, eight VPSB7118DP  subwoofers, four JBL AC28 compact loudspeakers, 14 JBL AC2212/00 compact loudspeakers and four JBL AC26 ultra-compact loudspeakers,

In order to handle the non-amplified loudspeakers, the Concert Hall was also provided with Crown CTs amplifiers.

The front-of-house mixing is undertaken by the Soundcraft Vi6 console. Finally, the processing was carried out in a BSS Soundweb London environment. 

The 700-seat Theatre Hall also uses the Soundcraft Vi6 for FOH mixing duties and the BSS Soundweb processing kit.

In terms of loudspeakers, the Theatre Hall is as well-equipped as the main Concert Hall and once again dominated by JBL kit. There are 32 JBL VERTEC VT4886 subcompact line array elements (powered by Crown VRack systems), a center cluster of two JBL VP7212/95DP-DA and one JBL VP7212/64DP-DA loudspeaker. There are also an additional eight JBL AC26 ultra-compact loudspeakers and 12 JBL 8350 cinema surround loudspeakers. Once again, amplification duties are handled by Crown’s CTs amplifier.

The 235-seat Multi Hall features a smaller but nonetheless impressive rig. It has been installed with three JBL VP7212/95DP-DA loudspeakers, with two VPSB7118DP subwoofers.

FOH mixing is handled by a Soundcraft Vi4 digital desk. Rounding off the kit is the BSS BLU800 and BLU120 digital signal routers.

Finally, the 150-seat Small Auditorium features a pair of JBL VP7212/95DP-DA loudspeakers and a pair of VPSB7118DP subwoofers. These were complemented by a BSS BLU800 and BSS BLU 120, and a Soundcraft Vi1 (along with Vi6 stage box).

Monitoring for each of the stages is handled by 24 JBL VP7212MDP stage monitors, 14 VP7210/95DP loudspeakers and 10 AC15 ultra-compact loudspeakers. These are handled by a Crown CTs 8200 amplifier and a Soundcraft Vi6 mixing desk.

What is more, the Konserthuset Kilden is equipped with a 5.1 recording studio and control room. This has been fitted with five JBL LSR6328P studio monitors and an LSR6312SP studio monitor subwoofer. The room also includes a Soundcraft Vi4 mixing console and BSS BLU100 processing.

This room can also pick up the MADI from the mixers in any of the four halls. This means that the venue is able to record the performances.

LydRommet was originally asked to tender for the contract in 2007 in a bid that involved five companies which they successfully won. Since then their design has been significantly adaptable.

“The client asked for half-year adjustments to make the solution work in the best way defined for the job,” explained LydRommet Project Manager, Alf Christian Hvidsteen. “This allowed us to optimize the system and make full use of the integrated solutions that HARMAN can provide.” 

LydRommet’s own in-house product specialists, Espen Andersen and Pål Solli, designed the sound reinforcement and distribution systems. They worked directly for the Kilden Project Group and alongside the main contractor, AF Gruppen.

Anderson and Solli achieved this with the use of AutoCAD, HARMAN HiQnet Performance Manager, System Architect, London Architect and JBL’s Line Array Calculator. The result was a show relay system incorporating 200 speaker stations—fed and controlled by IP over Ethernet.

“The results, to put it mildly, were stunning,” added Hvidsteen. “The preview concerts as well as the opening ceremony were a very good test of both the acoustics and our loudspeaker choices. All systems worked very well and the customer and audience were very pleased with the results.”

The Konserthuset Kilden is owned by Kristinasand Local Council and Vest-Agder County Council. Both stumped up funds to help construct the venue with them contributing 305 million NOK and 87 million NOK, respectively. The rest of the funding was provided by the Norwegian Ministry of Cultural Affairs (408 million NOK) and the arts foundation Cultiva (300 million NOK).