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Clair Solutions Installs Truly Custom Sound System at Santander Performing Arts Center

Nov 10, 2017 • by Santander Performing Arts Center
The Clair Brothers C8-TrueFit system was tailor-made for this unique and historic venue.

The Santander Performing Arts Center has stood the test of time. Built in the 1870s as a market with a Masonic Temple on its upper floors, it has transitioned since then to musical academy, movie palace and now a live entertainment facility. Home of the Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Broadway on 6th Street series, this multi-use venue is rich with history and culture. This year, they called on Clair Solutions to upgrade their sound system to accommodate the prestigious acts that grace the theaters’ stage.

Partnered with electrical contractor, Matz Mechanical, LLC, and loudspeaker manufacturer, Clair Brothers, Clair Solutions set out to design a one-of-a-kind solution for this almost 2,000 seat theater. The new system would need to fulfill the goals of a wide range of performances from children’s shows, to comedians, to orchestral performances to heavy metal bands. It became clear pretty quickly that this unique venue would require an equally unique sound system. Enter the Clair Brothers C8-TrueFit.

 With the help of Clair Brothers, Clair Solutions was able to implement a tailor-made sound system created by way of room measurements. That is, the C8 arrays feature singularly configured, continuously variable and asymmetric waveguides designed-to-order based on the room’s distinctive shape. The result? A perfectly unique, venue-specific loudspeaker array that provides naturally even coverage for audience areas and minimizing of architectural reflection and anomalies.

Another special feature of the new sound system is that most of it is completely portable including the main PA, portable amp racks, cabling and motors. In fact, it acts very much like a road system, says Jim Devenney, Senior Systems Designer at Clair Solutions. This portability makes the system much more flexible for both the venue and the end user. Clair Solutions reused the existing under balcony system, but replaced amps and processing.

 David Farrar, General Manager for Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center said he initially reached out to Clair Solutions because they like to work with local companies, but it turned out to be a good decision far beyond the local connection. “We were lucky to work with the Clair Solutions team. They were excellent from the beginning. In the 100 plus shows that have brought all different kinds of systems, I have not heard the room sound better than it does right now.”

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