In recent years many French Alpine winter sports resorts have seen conspicuous development of both indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces at clubs, restaurants and bars. As well as customary background music, venues have moved to staging live music performances and DJ sets to broaden their customer offer, creating a real buzz amongst their clientele.
Whilst the venues are configured in all shapes and sizes, one vital requirement they share is for high-quality, high-performance audio systems, capable of delivering professional sound as well as withstanding the extreme weather conditions found in the high mountains. CODA Audio systems have proven to be a very popular choice, according to CODA Audio France President, Phillipe Pelmelle:
“We were approached independently by a couple of contacts in the hospitality sector in the region who were looking to create new systems or upgrade their existing provision. With the help of our technical team, we were able to make CODA Audio recommendations that would exactly fit their audio requirements and be guaranteed to function reliably and efficiently in often tough conditions.”
“We also recommended specialist integrators who had experience using CODA Audio systems to maximum effect and understanding the challenges presented by the mountain locations. NG Pro of Grenoble, module me of Brignoles, and Fred Métral of Bourg St Maurice, were all called upon for their expertise.”
“As soon as the first couple of installs had been completed, we received more enquiries, and, if you’ll forgive the pun, it ‘snowballed’ from there. Two initial installs quickly became seven, with more to come. Naturally, we are delighted to see many venues putting their faith in our products.”
The resort of Tignes has seen three new CODA Audio systems installed at Le Bollin, Le Strike and Le Panoramic – the latter being the world’s highest Michelin-starred restaurant at 3032m. Other systems can be found at La Baraque in Val d’Isère, Pub O’ Chaud in Les Arcs, La Bergerie in La Plagne, and Le Face Ouest in Val Thorens.
A wide variety of loudspeakers from across CODA Audio’s extensive range were deployed for inside and outside spaces. CODA’s Marine Grade (MG1) finish ensured no audio compromise was necessary for the outdoor areas. The HOPS (high output point source) range was particularly favoured in the designs, from HOPS5 through HOPS8 to HOPS12.
New venue, Le Bollin in Tignes, sits at the summit of the Bollin chairlift at an altitude of 2214m. A CODA Audio system encompasses its bistro and outdoor terrace, which is regularly exposed to high winds and driving snow. Gérald Mastromattéo of installers NG Pro comments:
“We chose the marine-grade CODA Audio products for the outside because they are specially designed to work in difficult conditions, and also because they provide smooth, clear sound with good high and low frequencies. The terrace enjoys a combination HOPS12i MG1 and HOPS8i MG1 with SCP MG1 subs. Inside, the bistro has a combination of HOPS5 and U12 subs, with the result that the sound in every area of the venue is excellent.”
At La Baraque in Val d’Isère, co-owner Nicholas Ferrando is in no doubt that his new CODA system has proved to be a huge enhancement to the venue:
“We’ve been here for ten years now and changed the sound system several times because we were not happy with the quality. Now finally we have found the right system! Our evenings start with people eating, then move on to a live band and then some DJ Sets. In the early part of the evening, when people are eating, we need background music that is clear but not intrusive, and then we need power and clarity for the performances. That is what we have now – every day we receive compliments from our customers about how cool it sounds!”
La Baraque’s resident band shares Nicholas’s opinion, according to singer/guitarist Dave Dario:
“We’ve had a few systems over the years but now we’ve settled on a really, really good sound. I’ve never had a sound like this before. The way it’s set up, I don’t actually need monitors – the sound that’s coming out for everyone is enough for us. It’s crystal clear – it’s the best sound we’ve ever had. As an artist, when you have a sound as good as this you can really express yourself – it’s HD, I would say!”
CODA Audio Global Director of Sales and Marketing, David Webster concluded, pleased:
“It’s good to see the advantages of CODA systems being seized on for a significant number of installs in what is a growing area of the market. The team at CODA Audio France have done some great work in helping to coordinate and deliver systems for these very challenging environments!”
