At the heart of the start-up hub – PCI Creative Science Park chooses LD Systems and Cameo for its sound and light

With 63 participating companies and over 50 start-ups, the PCI Creative Science Park in Ílhavo, Portugal, brings together entrepreneurs and established companies to collaborate on sustainable projects. In addition to separate buildings for materials science and information electronics, the main building includes a large auditorium for lectures, discussion panels and other events. The AV service provider responsible, Arte & Som, opted for a flown MAILA XL line array system to provide consistent sound coverage in the elongated room with its steeply rising rows of seats. Cameo moving lights and LED bars provide flexible lighting for the stage area.

“The PCI’s managers were looking for a sound system that was suitable for both speech applications and occasional live music events, as well as being visually appealing,” explains Jose Fernando Teixeira, founder and Managing Director of Arte & Som. “This flexibility is essential for a PA system in a multifunctional room.“

Precision sound

With MAILA (Modular All-Round Intelligent Line Array), users can enjoy the advantages of a line-array system even in a comparatively small hall such as the PCI auditorium: long-range, uniform dispersion, and low-level drop-off right to the very back rows. To precisely adapt the sound to the room, Arte & Som used the innovative EasySplay mechanism to adjust the tilt of the MAILA SAT array satellites manually, using a rotary handle. “This way, we ensured that the sound was the same everywhere in the room, even after the trusses had been installed.”

In addition to the MAILA XL system with two array hangs, each consisting of eight passive MAILA SAT satellites and an active MAILA COL column element, two STINGER 18A G3 18″ subwoofers on the floor in the corners of the room provide an additional bass boost. Two MON 8A G3s are used as flexibly movable monitors for people on stage.

Effective lighting

Arte & Som opted for just two fixture types for general and effect lighting in the PCI Auditorium. In addition to the existing Fresnel spotlights, four Cameo OPUS SP5 Profile Spot moving heads provide dynamic highlight and effect lighting on stage. “The OPUS SP5 impressed us with its power and precision. In addition to the flexible diaphragm slider system for beam design, it also offers a wide range of effect options for versatile use,” says Teixeira. The PIXBAR 650C Pro COB LED bars, positioned on the floor and aligned with the rear and side walls, act like huge paintbrushes, giving the room more depth and atmosphere.