Millennium Forum Celebrates 25 Years

L'Derry's Millennium Forum has marked its 25th anniversary with a comprehensive audio overhaul, selecting Martin Audio's WPS Wavefront Precision system installed by Northern Ireland integrator Rea Sound to enhance clarity, coverage and flexibility across its 1,000-seat theatre.

Opened in 2001 as the city's first purpose-built theatre and conference venue, the Millennium Forum turned to a long-standing partner for the upgrade. "We've been working with them really since they opened," begins Roger McMullan, Director, Rea Sound. "We installed the original PA system and installed or upgraded other elements of the system over the years."

Plans to modernise the sound reinforcement gathered pace around two years ago, following almost two decades of service from the previous system, with Rea Sound contributing to a broader review of the venue’s technical needs. "We established they were looking for a lot more headroom, clearer sound and better coverage," explained McMullan.

With a programme that ranges widely in scale and content, the specification had to be adaptable. "They do everything from amateur productions for local schools through to one-man comedians, and up to big West End productions," he said. "They needed a PA that would cater for all they do."

Drawing on extensive experience of deploying Martin Audio's Wavefront Precision line arrays in theatres across Ireland, Rea Sound identified WPS as the right fit. "We knew Martin Audio has that signature sound that can cater to everything they wanted to do."

"The new Martin Audio system ensures that no matter what seat you're in, you won’t miss a single syllable of what’s happening on stage," Chloe Harkin, Technical Manager, The Millennium Forum

Before procurement, Rea Sound arranged listening visits to other theatres so the Forum's technical team could hear comparable systems in operation. The project then went to tender in February, with Rea Sound ultimately selected to deliver the installation.

Given the venue’s heavy schedule, the works were timed for a brief dark period. "They wanted it in as quickly as possible, but it is a very busy venue," McMullan said. "We needed three clear days, and so it went in early June. We installed the whole thing in those three days and it went very well."

The new main system consists of 12 Martin Audio WPS line array elements flown per side, supplemented by two additional WPS cabinets ground-stacked above a pair of SX218 subwoofers on each side. The ground-stacked elements bolster coverage beneath the lower balcony, where Martin Audio FlexPoint FP6 loudspeakers also serve as under-balcony delays.

To support performers and broaden the venue's capability for visiting productions, Rea Sound also specified a robust monitor and infill package from within the Martin Audio range. This includes six LE200 stage wedges and four CDD-LIVE 12 powered loudspeakers, chosen with the high SPL requirements of DJs in mind.

Amplification is provided by 15 Martin Audio iKON multi-channel amplifiers, ensuring ample power and system headroom. Achieving even, intelligible coverage to every part of the auditorium was central to the brief. "The theatre has two balconies: the lower balcony and "the gods," along with the ground floor stalls, which go quite far back underneath the balcony where the sound desk is located," McMullan describes. "That was very key to the audio engineers; they wanted to make sure that what they heard at the desk was what the audience heard. The system is able to do that."

The design process began with a SketchUp model of the room, which was then imported into Martin Audio’s Display software. Working closely with Martin Audio's in-house technical specialists, Rea Sound iterated through multiple configurations to refine array heights and physical positioning for optimal results.

"When I heard the system in the venue for the first time I was blown away by the audio coverage. Every seat is covered," McMullan noted. "You're always sceptical about what the models predict, but in Martin Audio's case it absolutely does match."

The venue's technical leadership expects the upgrade to benefit audiences and visiting companies alike. "The new Martin Audio system designed and installed by Rea Sound will completely transform the Millennium Forum experience. For our audiences, it will ensure that no matter what seat you’re in, you won’t miss a single syllable of what’s happening on stage. For artists and technical teams, our space will be more accessible and equipped to cater to all scales of production on a level we haven’t been able to deliver before. From theatre and musicals to conferences, rock concerts and community events, this new system will deliver a fully-immersive, accessible, and memorable experience for production staff and audiences alike."

For Rea Sound, the project underscores a decades-long relationship with the manufacturer and a successful outcome for the client. "We've represented Martin Audio for 40-odd years, so we have a very close relationship," concluded McMullan. "This project has been an excellent example and delivered a fantastic outcome for the client. The technical manager and sound engineers are delighted, visiting tour companies have given very positive feedback, and as a local company, Rea Sound has even heard audience members tell us how good the venue sounds."

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