The sound system design is divided into five principal zones: the main array over and around the forestage comprises seven d&b Y10P units and four Vi-SUB subwoofers. Five 10S-Ds make up the first row of delays, located on Bridge 1, while ten 8S units on Bridge 2 comprise the second row of delay speakers. A further 14 d&b 8S units are located as surround speakers, while six compact E6s are used as front fills.
All the processing and amplification for the Quarry system is handled by a single d&b DS100 Signal Engine (the Soundscape processor/matrix device), three DS10 Audio Network Bridges, three 30D, and eight 10D installation amplifiers, plus six Cisco SG300-Series switches.
The more conventionally-shaped Courtyard Theatre is also entirely d&b equipped, again using a number of different products to cover the three levels of seating, including a mix of d&b 10S-Ds, 21S subwoofers, and E4s and E5s located as front fills and delays respectively. Only three additional d&b amplifiers were needed (one 30D and two 10Ds, in addition to an existing D6) to power the entire system, alongside a single DS10 Audio Network Bridge and two more Cisco SG300-Series switches.
The quality and capabilities of the theatre’s new audio infrastructures match the ambitious and forward-thinking redevelopment of Leeds Playhouse into a magnificent modern theatre complex. It is now one of the best-equipped regional theatres in the UK (and, in fact, comparable with many West End venues), well able to deal with even the most demanding productions and sound designs. The addition of d&b’s Soundscape, and the range of extra possibilities that it affords sound designers, takes an already superlative facility to the next level.
The Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse has a contemporary theatre design, the main challenges encountered was implementing a sound system capable of dealing with a very broad range of productions. The team needed an updated system that would cover smaller productions such as plays as well as larger musicals without skipping a beat. The team used to need to hire in larger rigs for larger productions, but now with the new system, it is a different story. To overcome this challenge, the upgraded sound system design was divided into five principal zones: the main array over and around the forestage comprises seven d&b Y10P units and four Vi-SUB subwoofers. All the processing and amplification for the Quarry system is handled by a single d&b DS100 Signal Engine (the Soundscape processor/matrix device), three DS10 Audio Network Bridges, three 30D, and eight 10D installation amplifiers, plus six Cisco SG300-Series switches. This new system gives significantly more even coverage to the space, and using En-Scene processing, the design team was able to eliminate differences in the audience’s experience regardless of their seat position. The sound comes from the source with full 360-degree object positioning, and En-Space reverbs giving huge potential for creativity and audience immersion.
The more conventionally-shaped Courtyard Theatre is also entirely d&b equipped, again using a number of different products to cover the three levels of seating, including a mix of d&b 10S-Ds, 21S subwoofers, and E4s and E5s located as front fills and delays respectively. Only three additional d&b amplifiers were needed (one 30D and two 10Ds, in addition to an existing D6) to power this entire system, alongside a single DS10 Audio Network Bridge and two more Cisco SG300-Series switches.
The award-winning Leeds Playhouse is the largest regional repertory theatre in the UK outside London and Stratford and has earned an international reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting producing theatres. When the facility underwent an extensive 16-month renovation, the house technical team selected the remarkable d&b Soundscape sound object positioning tool to help them accurately depict stage scenarios.
Already specified in some West End productions, notably Mary Poppins, Soundscape’s capabilities are proven in numerous different applications globally, but the Leeds Playhouse is the first regional theatre in the UK to include it as part of a permanently-installed house system. The upgraded sound system allows for significantly more even coverage, eliminating differences in the audience’s experience regardless of their seat position, and creates more potential for creativity and audience immersion than ever before. The quality and capabilities of the theatre’s new audio infrastructures match the ambitious and forward-thinking redevelopment of Leeds Playhouse into a magnificent modern theatre complex. It is now one of the best-equipped regional theatres in the UK (and, in fact, comparable with many West End venues), well able to deal with even the most demanding productions and sound designs. The addition of d&b’s Soundscape, and the range of extra possibilities that it affords sound designers, takes an already superlative facility to the next level.
