Audiosales have supplied a Martin Audio system for installation in the new 800-capacity Auditorium of Parma, which is run by the Commune di Parma.

The contract for the audio was fulfilled by Ital Cida, and according to Audiosales’ Mauro Codeluppi, one of the reasons his company were nominated as the supply source was their proximity to Parma — they are based just ten minutes outside the town. Planning was handled by Flat Renzo Building Workshop (Paris) and acoustic consultants were Muller-BBM GMBH (Monaco di Baviera).

When it came to equipping the former sugar refinery — which had stood empty for years — Ital Cida recognised the cost-effectiveness of Martin Wavefront components, and specified four WT3’s, six WT2’s, a pair of WS2A subs and eight WT15’s — ideal for the multi-purpose nature for which the theatre will be used.

The system will be powered by Lab Gruppen amplification, and the loudspeaker management system will be provided by a digital network of XTA DP224 ‘s, DP200’s and a DP226 — all linked together on Audiocore. Stage monitoring consists of two Martin Audio Blackline F12’s, arranged as floor wedges, powered by Lab Gruppen iP2100 amplification and EQ’d through an XTA GQ-600.

Mauro Codeluppi explains, “On the main outboard eight DP324’s give the sound engineer the opportunity of having 16 channels of dynamic processing that can be configured as compressor, limiter, gate and expander, depending on his needs, while 48 channels of mic/line splitter are available through six XTA DS-800’s.”

In a separate rehearsal room a further pair of Martin Audio Blackline F12’s have been specified, powered by an iP2100 Lab Gruppen amp, and EQ’d through a GQ 600.

Mauro Codeluppi states that the programme of performance at the Auditorium of Parma has yet to be specified. It was originally thought that it would become a second opera house to the town’s famous Teatro Regio.

The whole project cost 31 milliard Lira to realise, of which the town of Parma contributed around 28 and three were offered by local firms, Barilla and Bonatti.