The Donmar Warehouse, a 250-seat venue in London’s West End that’s been presenting diverse mix of productions that includes musicals and plays of new works by leading writers since 1977, was recently equipped with a new main sound reinforcement system incorporating EM Acoustics Reference and EMS series loudspeakers implemented by sound designer Sound Quiet Time and integrator Stage Sound Services.
The project was initiated to enhance and unify the sound system at the facility while preserving it’s unique character and intimacy. “The Donmar Warehouse was looking for a new long-term vendor to handle product hire, install and to provide ongoing support,” explains Phil Hurley, director at Stage Sound Services. “We’d worked with the Sound Quiet Time on previous projects, and we were pleased to be involved in the installation at a venue as iconic as the Donmar.”
Rob Bettle of Sound Quiet Time adds, “We have been really switched onto EM since the release of the Reference Series. From the moment we heard them we were very impressed and have now used them across several projects. EM Acoustics was our first choice when it came to re-designing and unifying the Donmar in-house system.
“The Donmar is a small but complicated space from a sound point of view. The stage is thrust and all audience members are both extremely close to the action as well as possible rigging locations for loudspeakers. Therefore, you need a lot of loudspeakers for a small auditorium.”
Following Sound Quiet Time’s design, Stage Sound Services integrated a left-center-right system incorporating R8 full-range loudspeakers with two S-18 subwoofers employed as the main subs. Twelve EMS-41 loudspeakers serve as stall delays while an additional dozen EMS-51s are utilized for circle delays.
To create a more immersive sound environment, another 12 EMS-51 loudspeakers are dedicated to the stall surrounds while a further 12 are placed in the circle surrounds. Four EMS-112 subs deployed across the circle and stalls complete the surround sound system. On-stage effects are handled by two EMS-122W, four EMS-51, two EMS-41 and four EMS-61 loudspeakers, all of which can be positioned as needed. The full system is driven by five Di20D 8-channel amplifiers.
“We are honored to have been selected as the preferred audio solution provider for the Donmar Warehouse,” Hurley states. “The venue’s rich history and commitment to community engagement align perfectly with our own values. This installation showcases the versatility and excellence of EM Acoustics products whilst enabling the venue to deliver outstanding audio experiences to its patrons.”
“A mixture of our longstanding experience of working with the Donmar Warehouse and EM’s extensive product line allowed us to achieve excellent audio coverage of the auditorium,” concludes Bettle. “Furthermore, the Donmar Warehouse hosts a variety of shows, and the new system is adaptable enough to cater for many different genres. Noël Coward’s Private Lives is currently showing, and so far, everyone has been very happy with the results.”
