A new sound reinforcement system at the Uri Theatre, a 420-capacity performance venue in the historic Swiss town of Altdorf, utilizes CODA Audio loudspeakers in a project collaboration betweeen the theatre’s technical director and CODA Audio Switzerland distributor Schallwerk.
The facility was built in 1865 and served as a community hall until 1924, after which it was expanded to its present size as the Tellspielhaus. In 1999, it became the property of the Altdorf community and now stages a host of diverse and attractive cultural events, presentations, conferences and seminars.
Schallwerk recommended a CODA Audio APS (Arrayable Point Source) system, which in its view would cater to the widest possible range of applications as well as address the venue’s different configurations. The technical director then worked closely with Schallwerk on the final design of the system, which was installed by a local integrator.
The auditorium has a natural reverb that works well for most acoustic content but can present problems for amplified audio, which struggles with the reflections, making the ability to control directivity a top priority. There are actually two halls at the Uri — the main hall as well as the smaller Altdorf Hall behind it. The two rooms can be combined to offer a total capacity of 660 seats.
A dividing wall between the two is closed when the main hall is in use as a single sector. This acts as an acoustic mirror, requiring that it does not receive sound direct from the PA. By the same token, when the wall is raised to allow use of the larger space, the PA must still deliver quality coverage to the back row of the second sector at a distance of about 35 meters. The Schallwerk team concluded that a line array would be unsuitable, since its curvature would need to be constantly adjusted depending on the program, instead opting for CODA Audio APS.
The main system incorporates three APS modules plus one APS-SUB subwoofer per side. The upper unit of each cluster covers the area behind the dividing wall and can be switched on or off with minimal effect on the frequency range if that area is not in use. The clusters cover the entirety of the hall whatever configuration is in use without the need for delays (which had been required in the past).
Horizontal coverage was also important. All three APS open 30 degrees to the outside to reduce, as far as possible, reflection from the side walls, while to the inside the upper two open 30 degrees, with the lower one open to 45 degrees to help optimize coverage for the front rows. If required, the six APS models can also be used in pairs as a left-center-right configuration when the dividing wall is closed. The system is completed with five HOPS5 loudspeakers as front fills (L-C-R) and two more as side fills.
CODA Audio Director of Global Marketing David Webster states, “Schallwerk has successfully deployed CODA systems for a large number of fixed installation and live events in Switzerland. The company’s expertise and thorough understanding of our range is perfectly demonstrated in the Uri Theatre install, where APS was the perfect choice to overcome the quirky nature of the spaces. The installation of the system during the pandemic is a true indicator of confidence in the fact that when live shows return to the venue, every member of the audience will be treated to the same powerful, crystal clear sound.”
