Nestled in the heart of Rennes, Les Champs Libres auditorium is a 450-seat venue that hosts a vibrant mix of concerts, lectures, debates, and film screenings. Within this dynamic and multifaceted space, HOLOPHONIX is transforming the way engineers and artists approach spatial audio. The system combines cutting-edge technology with an intuitive interface, making complex, multi-channel sound setups accessible and creatively inspiring.
The interface is simple to use, in just a few hours, sound engineers can unlock its full potential and start playing with space. Even those unfamiliar with spatialization can quickly grasp how to bring every sound to life,
explains Dewi Seignard,Head of the Auditorium Team at Les Champs Libres.
HOLOPHONIX powers an array of over 80 Amadeus loudspeakers including UDX 12, UDX 8, PMX 4, and custom ramp modules, all carefully positioned throughout the auditorium. This setup ensures that every listener, no matter where they sit, experiences the same rich, immersive sound.
Dewi notes:
The goal from the beginning was to move beyond left-right panning and create true acoustic uniformity. With this system, the audience experiences the same sound image no matter where they sit.
The processor supports up to 128 independent sound objects, offering engineers immense creative freedom. The challenge, Dewi explains, is not the system itself but the varied background of incoming engineers. Many arrive with little or no experience in spatial audio, so the team often begins with a stereo mix before gradually introducing elements into the spatial field. Thanks to the clarity of the interface, most engineers understand the workflow quickly and can begin shaping space with confidence.
Time is often tight during live events. Dewi recounts,
We sometimes welcome engineers at 8:30 a.m., and by 12:30 p.m., it’s showtime. With HOLOPHONIX , even under these constraints, they can experiment with space, guided by our team who helps manage source placement. It’s collaborative and fun; engineers enjoy playing with the sound field.
Compatibility with existing systems can also be a challenge. Dewi notes that integrating HOLOPHONIX into a Dante AE 67 environment required careful planning, but the result is seamless:
Once it’s set up, it’s a powerful tool. We rarely reach the system’s limits in daily use, and the possibilities for creative spatialization are enormous.
HOLOPHONIX doesn’t just deliver cutting-edge audio, it empowers engineers and artists to explore sound in three dimensions intuitively. It’s a platform that makes complex audio workflows approachable, while bringing immersive, uniform, and inspiring sound to every listener in the auditorium.
