Addressing and Overcoming Architectural Issues for Improved Sound Quality at Palace Theatre by PK Sound
Calgary's Palace Theatreoses to a Time Capsule, inviting onlookers inside for live performances encased in the glory of yesteryear architecture and blasted with pristine sound thanks to the T8 robotic line source system from Calgary-based audio powerhouse, PK Sound. Outfitted by Laser Productions and ACT Entertainment, the new audio solution exacts sound to fit the theater's architecture, offering a clever balance between old-world charm and modern tech wizardry.
rijgo2baq9fjwf4
Head honcho of audio at the venue, Dexter Bruneau, enthused, "We haven't had an audio upgrade in years here at The Palace, and the PK Sound T8 system has seriously upped the game in this space. PK's robotic tech lets us tighten the reins on the directionality of the system based on the day's demands, and we've got some growling-ass bass happening that we didn't know we were missing. It's shook up the audio experience at The Palace, for sure!"
When it came time to lift The Palace's audio game in 2024, the Concorde Group faced a unique challenge—the theatre, an esteemed National Historic Site of Canada since '97, was under strict rules regarding any alterations to the interior. Fortunately, PK Sound's patented Multi-Axis Robotics proved to be the golden ticket, allowing for remote, real-time control of the horizontal and vertical dispersion of each module via integrated robotic actuators, with the ability to adjust arrays with pinpoint precision.
With 0.1-degree vertical resolution and variable horizontal coverage from 60 to 120 degrees, the T8 system could be sculpted to perfection for The Palace, directing sound away from visually appealing yet acoustically challenging surfaces like the theatre's asymmetric walls and glass balconies, focusing energy directly on the audience.
The PK Sound tech now dominating The Palace includes main left-right arrays with eleven T8 robotic line source elements per side, flanked by a brace of flown T18 intelligent subwoofers on each side. For added boom, three T18s and two T218 subs were tucked between the stage.
Bruneau continued with a grin, "The PK .dynamics software gives us boss-level control of our sound system to get the best results mechanically before slicing and dicing with EQ. Managing the robotic directivity from the front of house is a game-changer. We can easily peer into each module of the PA system in front of us, so it's no sweat slicing and dicing the line array, flown subs, and ground subs alike."
PK Sound's Tx Series intelligent point source modules will round out the installation, sporting six Tx26s to fill ears on the lip and beneath the balcony, and four Tx14s offering versatility for stage monitors or various applications.
PK Sound's CEO, Jeremy Bridge, beamed with pride when he said, "What sets the Tx Series apart is our dedication to creating a couple of units that can handle the widest array of applications—all without skimping on sound quality."
Since its premiere during Australian metalcore powerhouse Northlane's show, the system's handled every kind of performance from nearly every genre—from stand-up comedy to awards galas, corporate events, and more—all while racking up praise from techies, audience members, and staff alike.
Exec director of Concorde Group, Eddie Leung, summed it up, "I've been attending this venue for a dozen years now, and folks I met a decade ago are raving about the audio upgrade. It's been a pleasure to witness their jaws drop as they marvel at the difference. The quality of audio is paramount, and if we can make the hairs on folks' necks stand up, then we've nailed it."
- At the Palace Theatre, the PK Sound T8 system, along with the Tx Series modules, has transformed a wide array of events, from metalcore concerts to stand-up comedy shows, corporates events, and awards galas, bringing a superior audio experience that has left audience members and staff alike in awe.
- The PK Sound T8 system, with its multi-axis robotic technology, cleverly balances the old-world charm of the Palace Theatre with modern tech wizardry, offering a blend of advanced technology features in audio products, such as precise control over various aspects of the system, robust bass, and versatile sound sculpting to create an extraordinary audio experience for each event.
