Paul Kalkbrenner Live at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace

Against the majestic backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Austria, world-renowned electronic artist Paul Kalkbrenner delivered an unforgettable live show for an audience of more than 15.000, that united precision audio technology with imperial architecture. The event was powered by a full Alcons pro-ribbon system, meticulously configured to deliver high-impact sound while meeting the venue’s strict acoustic and environmental limitations.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Schloss Schönbrunn is one of Europe’s most treasured cultural landmarks. Once the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors, its baroque gardens and ornate façades now host select open-air events. Performing within such a historic and densely populated setting requires an exceptionally controlled sound system—capable of wide dynamic range, exact projection, and minimal off-site spill.

With more than two decades at the forefront of Europe’s electronic music scene, Paul Kalkbrenner is celebrated for his cinematic approach to techno and his emotionally charged live shows. Known for hits like Sky and Sand and Aaron, his performances feature complex layers of melody and rhythm, demanding absolute clarity and precision from the sound system. Every detail in his mixes must translate seamlessly to audiences of tens of thousands—a benchmark that has made Kalkbrenner synonymous with audiophile-grade electronic performance.

“This project underlines what Alcons systems do best: deliver uncompromising fidelity and coverage consistency, even in the most acoustically and environmentally demanding locations,” concludes Wolfgang Sauter, CEO Pro Performance.

To meet these requirements, Austrian Alcons distributor Pro Performance, in collaboration with rental partner JUR, deployed an extensive Alcons system. The sound supply and coordination were managed through The Ribbon Network, Alcons Audio’s international dry-hire collaboration platform that enables rental partners to scale and share identical systems worldwide.

“We needed a high-end sound solution that would meet Paul Kalkbrenner’s demanding audio standards while ensuring compliance with local emission restrictions,” explains Wolfgang Sauter, CEO of Pro Performance. “Alcons’ pro-ribbon technology provided the precision and headroom we needed without compromise.”

At the core of the system were 48x LR28 2x 14” 3-way large-format line-array modules and 32x LR24 2x 12” 3-way mid-sized arrays, forming the main PA system. Supporting low-frequency extension and control were 44x BC543 high-output triple 18” cardioid subwoofers, configured to achieve focused bass coverage with exceptional rear rejection — a key factor in limiting disturbance to nearby areas.

12x LR18 2x 8” 3-way compact arrays and 6x RR12 12” point-source systems provided delay and outfill coverage, while 8x VR8 compact 8” monitors, 2x LR18B 18” bass modules, and 2x WR20 stage monitors handled front-fill and stage monitoring duties.

The concert also served as part of a feasibility study by the Schönbrunn Group, the organisation responsible for the operation of the palace, evaluating the possibility of hosting future large-scale concerts at the site. The highly focused projection and controlled coverage of the Alcons system proved instrumental in meeting the Schönbrunn Group’s strict sound emission criteria. At the same time, the audience experienced the full impact and detail of Kalkbrenner’s performance — validating the feasibility of future concerts at the palace.

Alex Lewin, Paul Kalkbrenner’s sound engineer, commented: “It was almost too clear for this kind of music!”

Feedback from concert-goers, production teams, and the Schönbrunn Group itself was overwhelmingly positive, with the pilot event confirming that world-class live performances can be successfully integrated into this unique heritage environment.

“This project underlines what Alcons systems do best: deliver uncompromising fidelity and coverage consistency, even in the most acoustically and environmentally demanding locations,” concludes Wolfgang Sauter.

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