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    Immersive System Takes Audiences Inside The Outsiders

    The Outsiders musical is based on the classic YA novel. New York, NY (June 6, 2024)—S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age novel, The Outsiders, has been reimagined as a Broadway musical, delivered via L-ISA technology and the first L-Acoustics L Series loudspeaker deployment on the Great White Way. “People’s expectations of the aural experience in a performance have changed, and I think it’s up to theater artists to stay in front of that,” contends David Strang, vice president, audio sales for PRG, which supplied the L-Acoustics systems for the new production playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in Times Square. “This isn’t a movie that you’ll get to watch at home later—it’s live theater—and this new production of The Outsiders truly draws you into the story.” The new show is nominated for 12 Tony Awards including best musical and best sound design of a musical for sound designer Cody Spencer. Like many Broadway houses, the Jacobs Theatre was once a vaudeville venue, designed to project unamplified speech and music. “Acoustics are always a big issue when it comes to Broadway houses, just by their nature, so it definitely was something we spent a lot of time figuring out how to deal with,” says Cody Spencer. L-Acoustics Soundvision design and prediction software was critical in defining the boundaries of coverage, keeping energy away from reflective surfaces and on the audience in every seating area. The show uses an L-Acoustics L-ISA system. Spencer and his team, including L-ISA programmer Stephen Jensen, production audio lead Mike Tracy and front-of-house engineer Heather Augustine, went all-in on immersive sound and L-ISA technology. “The reason that I chose to use L-ISA is because early on, in communication with my director, music department and choreography team, we wanted the audience to be encompassed by the sound. With much of the show, the audience is ‘inside’ the actors’ heads—it’s a play in which much of the action is being recalled by characters instead of happening in the moment. Using L-ISA, we’re able to get people feeling the sound from all around them at all times. Early on in the show, for instance, our lead character gets kicked in the face, and you can hear the kick, but then you also hear his ears ringing—not just in front of you but all around you. Those kinds of effects help to make you feel like you’re actually part of his world.” The Simmering Sounds of Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” Two centrally flown sub arrays of three KS21 each are bolstered by two more KS21 positioned left and right, under the stage. The balcony delay system features five Scene arrays of two A15 Focus flanking Extension arrays of two A15 Wide. Seven spatialized X8 mounted across the face of the stage serve as front-fills for main-floor seats, and various combinations of X12, X8, and 5XT are deployed as other fills, as needed. A combination of LA7.16, LA12X, and LA4X amplified controllers drive the system. “We also have a row of compact 5XT speakers for the middle of the orchestra that helps get the high end to the very front of the overhang,” Spencer says, “and then another row of X8 as spatial fills to fill in the back of the orchestra underneath the overhang.” The main system’s surround arrays utilize a combination of X8 and A10 enclosures, while the balcony surrounds are four Syva, deployed two per side, he adds.

    PRG Goes Big on L-Acoustics’ L Series

    PRG has become a pilot phase partner with L-Acoustics on the latter’s new L Series speaker systems, and has deployed them on Dream Theater’s current tour. PHOTOS: Left—Steve Thom; Right—PRG. New York, NY (July 26, 2023)—They say “go big or go home,” and Production Resource Group has gone big—not to mention deep into its pockets—in its new partnership deal struck with L-Acoustics. PRG has been named one of two pilot phase partners for L-Acoustics’ L Series Speakers in the Americas, making what the companies termed “a significant eight-figure investment” in the upcoming L Series Speakers line which ships in October. The L Series system comprises two elements designed to work together or individually: L2 above and L2D below, which can be deployed with a small footprint that reduces truck space, fuel consumption and requires fewer elements, cutting the number of actions needed for load in and out. Prog rock act Dream Theater is the first production where the L Series is being utilized by PRG on tour. L-Acoustics Unveils Flagship L Series Line Array at Hollywood Bowl “Our substantial investment in L-Acoustics products reinforces our commitment to creating outstanding experiences for audiences at live events around the world.” said Doug McKinley, VP, Asset Services, Audio of PRG in a statement. “We’re delighted that the expert teams at PRG are embracing the revolutionary new L Series, deploying it on leading projects like Dream Theater and helping to ensure a successful public launch later this year,” added Jacob Barfoed, global director of Sales at L-Acoustics. “Deepening our relationship with PRG through their reinforced commitment to L-Acoustics products is an exciting and forward-thinking new step in our partnership.”

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