Founded in 1368, the Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France, or BnF) is one of the country’s highest profile institutions, holding copies of virtually everything published in France. Nowadays one of largest and most modern libraries in the world, a Yamaha QL5 digital mixing console has been entrusted with supporting the BnF’s programme of cultural events.
The library currently holds around 14 million books and printed documents, manuscripts, prints, photographs, maps, plans, scores and many other artefacts. As well as acting as a hub for researchers, it also hosts exhibitions and cultural events in various spaces. A compact, easy to move mixing console was needed for these events, but the Yamaha QL5 also delivered much more. Installed by Coulommiers-based MDS Audio, besides its size and portability, another key factor in choosing the QL5 was its combination of Dante and local i/o, which means it is not only extremely flexible, but 64 channel multitrack recording over Dante is very straightforward. “Thanks to its compact size, the QL5 can be very easily integrated into the different areas of the BnF where events are held,” says MDS Audio sales manager Philippe Girard. “Having both Dante and local i/o allows the BnF’s technicians to quickly and easily set up high specification sound reinforcement and recording for any kind of event.” With BnF events taking place in spaces not always designed for reinforced sound, the QL5’s Premium Rack effects and remote control via the StageMix iPad app also mean that any acoustic issues can be quickly overcome. “Another of the strengths of the console was the presence of the Custom Bank for customised user configurations, while the reputation and reliability of Yamaha digital consoles was another determining factor,” says Philippe. “Overall the excellent combination of value, capacity and flexibility meant that the QL5 was the only serious option. After our technicians had delivered a day’s training to BnF technicians, they gave the console a unanimous vote of approval.”