As part of a comprehensive renovation of the host site for the World Cup '98 finals, the Stade Velodrome features a new sound reinforcement system designed to meet several highly stringent requirements.

Located in Marseilles, part of the stunning Blue Coast region in the south of France, the Velodrome is primarily a soccer-only stadium with about 65,000 seats. Four large seating sections form a square that completely surrounds the playing surface.

AD was brought into the Velodrome sound reinforcement system development process by Tech Audio, a leading design/build firm based in France. We prepared a conceptual design for the project, doing comprehensive computer modeling of the venue from the outset.

Subsequently, AD and Tech Audio presented the design concept—primarily focusing on loudspeakers and coverage issues—to stadium officials and were ultimately awarded the project. Immediately following, issues like selection and implementation of signal processing and power amplifiers were also decided.

Two primary factors significantly influenced the design. First, a requirement mandated by European legislation for extremely high sound pressure levels and very strict zoning requirements. All seating areas, as well as the playing surface had to be carefully zoned for crowd control and evacuation purposes. Further, the project guidelines mandated that the configuration of loudspeakers be limited to the main grandstand which is covered by a steel canopy. Based on these guidelines, we worked from the main grandstand outward to the rest of the stadium.