Technology:
13 pcs. d&b Audiotechnik V8, 6 pcs. d&b Audiotechnik V12, 8 pcs. d&b Audiotechnik J-SUB, 10 pcs. d&b Audiotechnik Q10, 6 pcs. d&b Audiotechnik Q-SUB, 16 pcs. d&b Audiotechnik D12 amplifiers, 2 pcs. d&b Audiotechnik D6 amplifier, 1 pc. R70 system control, 2 pcs. Martin Audio MA 6.8 amplifiers.
Lighting:
12 pcs. LED RGB strips 4m, 10 pcs. Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K10 CC.
Written by:
Kino Šiška Centre for Urban Culture is a center for contemporary and urban creativity serving Ljubljana and wider Slovenia. It is the first and only Slovenian project of its kind dedicated to music, theater, dance, exhibitions, films, and experimental productions. Kino Šiška has hosted over 900 events in three years, with its program combining urbanity, multiculturalism, political neutrality, and technological progress, while promoting innovation, creativity, and international cooperation.
The Katedrala Hall, covering 743 square meters, can hold up to 932 standing visitors or 500 seated in various configurations tailored to individual events, primarily concerts, but also theater performances and film screenings. The Komuna Hall below, covering 205 square meters, can hold up to 200 standing visitors or 120 seated for more intimate, mainly experimental events and discussions.
Thanks to investment from the Municipality of Ljubljana, Norway Grants, and EU Funding, Kino Šiška is technically the most advanced venue in Slovenia. The team behind the venue sought an audio and lighting system capable of handling a variety of events. From an audio perspective, they wanted equipment that frequently appeared on artist riders. Bostjan Konic of KSL Studio was brought in for his expertise in lighting and sound, providing and installing the equipment.
“Because Kino Šiška wanted equipment favored on many artists’ riders, we had quite a limited choice of PA manufacturers. After our presentation, we demonstrated the true capabilities of a d&b audiotechnik system and showed that the manufacturer is one of the top choices available on the market,” explains Konic. “The entire audio system was procured as a complete system, with loudspeakers, subwoofers, processors, and amplifiers all from d&b audiotechnik.”
In the Katedrala Hall, the audio system consists of two line arrays flown left and right of the stage, each comprising six d&b V8 loudspeakers and two V12 loudspeakers. There is also a cluster of one V8 and two V12s hung in the center of the stage. For bass, eight d&b J-SUB subwoofers are placed underneath the stage, while four Q10 loudspeakers serve as side fills. The audio system in the main venue area is driven by a total of fifteen d&b D12 amplifiers.
“We had a problem with the Katedrala Hall in that the room shape is circular, which isn’t acoustically ideal,” says Konic. “We tried to avoid all the usual problems you might encounter with a circular room by angling and sound-checking for two days. In the end, we found the right spot for the loudspeakers, and I’m happy with how it turned out. It was a straightforward project in one sense, as I think we did the best we could, and we’re not overloading the system in any way.”
In the Komuna Hall, there is a stack of three d&b Q1 loudspeakers and three Q-SUB subwoofers on each side, powered by d&b D6 amplifiers. “Our goal with this project was to show other Slovenian concert halls that everyone should have a good sound system, and it really does make a difference,” adds Konic. “The audio system provided by d&b audiotechnik is, in my opinion, above and beyond what many Slovenian venues are currently able to achieve. It is built to last and will serve for the next five to ten years.”
“One of my favorite things about this project was actually working with d&b products. The system is very easy to understand, you plug it in, and it works. It’s also portable and light. You can have any number of boxes, hang them, and not have a problem with weight. d&b audiotechnik is, in my opinion, one of the top three manufacturers in the industry right now, and this installation will set the venue apart in terms of sound.”
Thanks to Mondo dr* for the editorial content. Photographs courtesy of Helen Fletcher.
