Designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Jean-Michel Battesti, 6MIC (pronounced ‘seismic’) has been turning heads since opening its doors for the very first time this summer. Its lichen-covered concrete structure, both a technical feat and a world first, is designed to give a mountainesque appearance to the building, seamlessly blending into the natural landscape.
6MIC’s goal is to become an epicentre for music and culture throughout France. Therefore, they required a sound reinforcement system to reproduce various performance styles and keep a minimal carbon footprint. 6MIC chose to install L-Acoustics throughout all performance spaces to hit both of these goals.
The Rudy Ricciotti and Jean-Michel Battesti design, fully blending into the natural landscape thanks to the vegetation which takes possession of its forms.
Although structural work commenced in 2018, it was not until September the following year that the 6MIC technical team started working on the audio concept.
With an ambitious goal of deploying sound equipment that would be of the highest calibre and future-proof, 6MIC Technical Director Rémi Droesch’s brief was simple: “We wanted the best sounding system!” After consulting with a number of premium loudspeaker manufacturers, L-Acoustics was retained by the 6MIC team for several reasons.
“Out of all the companies we spoke to, L-Acoustics ticked our boxes right from the outset,” explains Droesch. “First of all, the comprehensive loudspeaker range and excellent performance of L-Acoustics make it the best audio manufacturer we know.
Price was equally important to us, and the L-Acoustics team provided a very competitive offer. Finally, following our architectural design philosophy of blending into the nature around us, we wanted to be as carbon friendly as possible, so partnering with a French loudspeaker manufacturer made perfect sense to us.”
The big hall
Dushow was chosen as the system integrator, and its team worked closely with 6MIC’s Albert Peirat on all commercial elements and Laurent Moulis on technical aspects. Dushow also facilitated 6MIC’s first contact with L-Acoustics Sales Manager, Olivier Inizan, who proposed the new Kara II system.
“When Olivier suggested Kara II, which wasn’t even announced to the public at the time, we held our breath in anticipation and excitement. We knew that Kara would be a very good system for us. So calling ourselves the world’s first venue to install Kara II shortly after being referred to as a world-first for our original and innovative architectural design just seemed very appropriate,” smiles Droesch.
The eight KARA II and the four X8 in the main hall.
The new L-Acoustics M1 measurement platform was recommended as part of the overall sound system design to guarantee the perfect system optimization for all the different configurations of the venue’s performance spaces. M1, in combination with the P1 processor, offered the benefit of streamlining measurements of the loudspeaker system throughout the spaces at 6MIC.
This proved its worth very early on. Split across three levels, 6MIC features eight separate areas comprising two concert halls with audience capacities of 800 and 2,000, five rehearsal and recording studios for amateur and professional musicians, and an outdoor patio. Each area is unique, so the team needed to treat them individually to achieve homogenous bandwidth and dynamics.
A closer view of the main hall system featuring hanged arrays of four KS21 in a cardioid setup and eight KARA II.
The audio concept was designed by Moulis, with Inizan and L-Acoustics Application Engineer Arnaud Delorme assisting, and the system was delivered to 6MIC in March.
“Due to the first wave of COVID-19 restrictions, the final Kara II installation had to be postponed until May, with Arnaud completing three full days of socially distanced training and testing in each individual room in June,” continues Droesch.
The X8 frontfills in action.
The Grand Concert Hall system comprises a Kara II variable curvature line source deployed with four KS21 flown per side. Four A10 in radial configuration provide solid infill and X8 as frontfill ensures perfect coverage of the first rows.
Kara II arrays are powered per group of two boxes to offer state-of-the-art line source processing using AutoFIR technology. It also provides consistent SPL and tonal balance response throughout the venue.
The Club uses A15 medium throw line sources with KS21 subwoofers for bandwidth extension. This high contour solution is used with X8 as frontfill and infill. The patio space comprises an ARCS WiFo/SB18m system, while the bar benefits from 5XT with SB18 subs. A mobile X15HiQ stage monitor package with ARCS Wide for sidefill is available to satisfy artists’ demands.
“The great thing about this system is its adaptability. The equipment for the patio can also be used in the bar during the winter,” explains Droesch. “Each separate system is adapted to the capacity and geometry of the room. In the Club and the Grand Concert Hall, we use Milan/AVB audio network protocol between P1 and the amplified controllers, so we have both perfect time alignment of all channel amps and optimized latency. LA Network Manager controls all systems.
A short film showing 6MIC and its different rooms:
6MIC opened its doors to numerous talented artists and performers throughout the summer, and feedback has been exceptionally positive. Many French and international acts, such as Oxmo Puccino, Ayo, Peter Hook and The Light, The Wackids, and Svinkels, are booked to appear at 6MIC in 2021.
“We are extremely proud of the end result and would like to thank L-Acoustics and Dushow for their close partnership with us, as well as our local service providers who have all helped us bring this ambitious project to life,” concludes Droesch.
“The technical support we received from L-Acoustics was invaluable, both at the very early stages of the system design as well as later during the final process of system testing and team training. We have been delighted with the feedback so far, with both 6MIC staff and visiting artists singing the praises of the venue and its exceptional sound quality. Kara II is definitely the new way forward, and we are very pleased to find ourselves moving in the same direction.”
More on the L-Acoustics website and on the 6MIC website
