Theme Parks
Futuroscope: Chasseur de Tornades
Context
The Team
L-ISA Channels Eye of the Storm at Futuroscope’s Cutting Edge New Theme Park Attraction
Futuroscope, a specialist theme park in Poitiers, France, is renowned for showcasing futuristic technologies. Since its launch in the 1990s, it has evolved into a haven for state-of-the-art rollercoasters, immersive rides, and cinematic experiences. Its latest attraction, Chasseur de Tornades, is a multi-award-winning 360-degree immersive experience that follows the exploits of a tornado-hunting team. Launched in January 2023 at a cost of 21 million Euros, this landmark project features Europe’s largest circular LED screen and has already garnered industry accolades, including the prestigious THEA award for best attraction.
The Challenge
The Chasseur de Tornades attraction posed a unique set of challenges. The ride’s design comprises a 17-meter diameter spherical auditorium with a moving platform that rises, falls, tilts, and turns. The audience experiences the ride from this central rotating platform, which adds a layer of complexity to the synchronization of audio and visual elements. To create a truly immersive experience, an audio system capable of following the fast-moving, 360-degree panorama was crucial. Futuroscope required an advanced audio solution to match the high standards of its visual effects, produced by Hollywood visual effects specialist François-Xavier Aubague.
The Solution
Futuroscope turned to L-Acoustics’ groundbreaking L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology for their audio needs. AV consultants FMD, who manage technical support for the park, specified the audio components for the new ride. They were familiar with L-Acoustics’ innovative products and exceptional reputation, making them the go-to choice for this project.
The design began with L-Acoustics Soundvision software, which specified a total of 16 compact short-throw X8 cabinets positioned around the top of the non-acoustically transparent LED screen. Four X12 speakers form an inner circle, with another X12 directly overhead the audience. For lower frequency reinforcement, three KS21 subwoofers face down from the ceiling, while three X12 speakers are positioned on the big stage and two on the smaller stage. Six LA4X amplified controllers drive the system, all managed and calibrated with an L-Acoustics M1 measurement platform and P1 AVB processor.
The hardware installation took just two weeks, with all loudspeaker components, including the amplifiers, rigged on an 8-meter high truss framework designed by FMD. The system is connected through a Milan AVB network, using a Modulo Pi media server, with the audio soundtrack running on a Mac loaded with Pro Tools.
The Result
The final result was a perfectly synchronized audio-visual experience that kept the audience engaged throughout the fast-moving 360-degree panorama. The producer and sound designer spent several months perfecting the film, iterating through 57 different versions of the film and 30 different versions of the audio soundtrack. The final version, created and tested using the L-ISA Studio software suite, is played back during the shows.
Two Futuroscope technicians became certified L-Acoustics technicians during the ride development, allowing them to quickly and autonomously re-calibrate the audio system as needed. This has ensured that the ride remains at full capacity at all times.
Over 350,000 visitors have experienced Chasseur de Tornades, and it has received several awards, proving the success of this ambitious project. Yannis Marchet, Development and Project Manager at Futuroscope expresses complete satisfaction with the audio system, stating, “We are 100% happy with the audio, and if we had to do it again, we wouldn’t change a thing.”
Project photos
We had L-Acoustics V-DOSC systems installed in the park as early as 1997 and have worked happily with their systems ever since. When L-ISA technology was first launched, we were amazed and impressed with what it can do. Chasseur de Tornades is an atypical and unique attraction, the synchronicity between the audio and visual content was paramount, and L-ISA helped us to achieve this.
Yannis Marchet
Development and Project Manager, Futuroscope
