The Biwako Hall in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, celebrated for hosting some of the country’s premier opera and classical performances, has become the first performing arts venue in Japan to install the SPAT Revolution Wave Field Synthesis immersive audio system powered by Harman’s FLUX:: technology.
This system enables an auditory experience that positions sound precisely on stage, creating a fully immersive environment that enhances the audience’s engagement, regardless of seating location.
Located 20 minutes from Kyoto on the shores of Lake Biwa, the 1,848-seat Biwako Hall is renowned for its diverse programming and its acoustics tailored to classical performances. The system upgrade enhances the hall’s Front of House (FOH) package, introducing five main frontal sound points and a front-fill system to the space.
The integration of the SPAT Revolution immersive engine enables Biwako Hall’s sound engineers to create a lifelike audio experience by positioning sound sources, such as performers and instruments, as objects in a virtual space. Sound outputs are then distributed through both the proscenium speakers and an array of eight front-fill speakers, creating the sensation that sound emanates directly from specific stage positions.
The immersive system, controlled via a tablet PC, allows for management and adjustment of sound objects and acoustics from anywhere in the hall, optimising the mixing process beyond the FOH console integration to SPAT Revolution.
