The Center houses an 16-channel sound system designed for production, experimentation, and revitalization. Various setups from 11.1.4 to 7.1.2 and everything in between (including Dolby Atmos) are supported, with flexible routing options and comprehensive technical support.
The system was designed and built by William Geroli and Francesco Venturi, with the support of Jacopo Cenni and Simone Grande. This page aims to provide essential information for artists, composers, and technicians planning to work in the space.
CRIV Sound System. Left: Room layout with channel patch. Right: Measure diagram.
Speaker layout
The system consists of an array of eleven perimeter speakers (7”), four overhead speakers (5”), and one subwoofer (18”), creating a versatile space for spatial audio. The table below provides detailed positioning coordinates for each speaker in both spherical and Cartesian systems, referenced from the room’s center. The system features digital delay and gain compensation to create an ideal circular sound field.
| Speaker | Channel | Distance | Azimuth | Elevation | X | Y | Z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perimeter | 1 | 3.7 m | -28° | -20° | -2m | 3m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 2 | 3.2 m | 0° | -20° | 0m | 3m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 3 | 3.5 m | 28° | -20° | 2m | 3m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 4 | 4.5 m | -45° | -20° | -3.2m | 3.2m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 5 | 4.5 m | 45° | -20° | 3.2m | 3.2m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 6 | 4.5 m | -90° | -20° | -4.5m | 0m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 7 | 4.5 m | 90° | -20° | 4.5m | 0m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 8 | 4.5 m | -135° | -20° | -3.2m | -3.2m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 9 | 4.5 m | 135° | -20° | 3.2m | -3.2m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 10 | 3.5 m | -152° | -20° | -2m | -3m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Perimeter | 11 | 3.5 m | 152° | -20° | 2m | -3m | 2.58m ↓20° |
| Overhead | 12 | 4.6 m | 0° | -70° | -2.2m | 2.8m | 4m ↓70° |
| Overhead | 13 | 4.6 m | 0° | -70° | 2.2m | 2.8m | 4m ↓70° |
| Overhead | 14 | 4.6 m | 0° | -70° | -2.2m | -2.4m | 4m ↓70° |
| Overhead | 15 | 4.6 m | 0° | -70° | 2.2m | -2.4m | 4m ↓70° |
| Subwoofer | 16 | 4.8 m | -34° | 0° | -4m | 2.8m | 0m |
- Perimeter speakers: 7”, 45–36 kHz, max SPL: 110 dB
- Overheads: 5”, 54-30 kHz, max SPL: 104 dB
- Subwoofer: 18”, 36-140 Hz, Max SPL: 131 dB
Origin (both radial and cardinal coordinates) is the center of the room. Speakers 1-11 are at 2,58 mt from the floor. In this spreadsheet calculation, xxx m is intended as 0 m (floor level).
Since the mixer patch has delay and gain compensation for the sound system, it is strongly recommended to build an ideal circle speaker setup in your spatialization software.
Delay and gain compensation can be bypassed for custom configurations. Please contact the tech director of CRIV at least one week before arriving if you intend to use your own calculations.
Desk
The standard audio interface used in CRIV setups is an Allen & Heath SQ5 mixer combined with an AR84 expander. The SQ5 can be connected via USB-A directly to the performer’s laptop.
Thanks to the system’s flexible design, the desk can be positioned anywhere in the room, allowing for optimal monitoring and adventurous performance configurations.
If you are using a Mac, no drivers should be needed. Please refer to this link for Windows driver and documentation. Check this reference guide for more information on the mixer.
If you are using your own audio interface, you have access to 18 analog local inputs.
Routing, positioning and spatialization
The mixer routes audio directly to the 16 active speakers, so all sound spatialization must be done before the signal reaches the SQ5. This means you need to handle all spatialization using your own software(s)/system(s).
If you want CRIV’s staff to help design the trajectories of your show and/or live spatialize it during the performance, please let us know at least seven days before arrival.
Aiming positions for the perimeter speakers.
The audio signal is routed from the mixer’s local outputs to the 16 speakers through a multicore connection panel located on the floor. Since the multicore cable and mixer connections allow flexible positioning of the equipment anywhere within the room, this allows for various audience configurations: frontal setup, three-sided arrangement, semicircle, or full 360-degree seating.
When analog outputs 1-16 are connected to the sound system, the only available outputs on the mixer are 17-18, which are usually used for binaural recording of the show.
Monitoring
The room’s dimensions create excellent sonic conditions that typically eliminate the need for a monitoring system. If your set needs monitoring for any particular reason (e.g., click track), analog outputs 17-18 are available. In this case, please bring your own monitoring system (bodypack + headset). CRIV does not provide any monitoring equipment. May you need more than two monitoring or special channels, please contact CRIV at least seven days before arrival.
Direct connection
If you plan to bypass the mixer, you can directly connect to the speakers using the multicore (female XLR plugs). The multicore provides analog inputs labeled 1-16 corresponding to the speaker routing scheme shown above (1-11 feed the perimeter, 12-15 the overheads, 16 the subwoofer).
When using direct connections, please ensure your signal levels are appropriate for the speaker system and that your spatialization software compensates for the physical speaker layout.
Amplification
Due to the nature of the system design, amplifying voices and instruments with microphones requires careul setting. Expect a longer setup time compared to a standard venue. CRIV is a place for experimentation, and an experimental microphone setup is encouraged.
Rental
Whether you’re working on an Atmos-enabled cinema project, developing an immersive audiovisual piece, or testing ideas in a multi-channel environment (11.1.4 / 9.1.4 / 7.1.2), our system is available for rental. To get a quote and book, submit a request at rental@criv.eu.
- Specify if you need full technical support or just setup.
- Off-site rentals are not available.
This is a hand-soldered, site-specific and independent audio project that is consecrated to sound innovation and acoustic ecology. A labor of love in constant evolution, intended for sonic explorers, spatial audio engineers, and artist-researchers working at the intersection of time and space. Above all, it is designed with the audience in mind.
Resources
Download these materials to help you start your project:
- Room layout - With channel patch (.pdf)
- Speaker placement - Measure diagram (.pdf)
- Aiming positions - Perimeter speakers (.pdf)
- Technical Specifications - Complete system documentation (.xlsx)
- Routing - Quick reference diagram (.jpg)
- Panoramix Template - Pre-configured spatialization patch (.txt)
- GRM Spaces Templates - Speaker configuration files (.lay/.ala)
