QSC Mixes Minor League Baseball Game
Raley Field, home to the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A league sibling team of the San Francisco Giants. Trevor, who is responsible for everything attendees see and hear other than the gameplay itself, knows that the sound is a crucial part of the fan experience.
Just before the start of this baseball season, he installed a QSC TouchMix-30 Pro compact digital mixer as the ballpark’s audio nerve centre.
“I’m in charge of all park entertainment on a game day and I also DJ at games,” Trevor explained. “All the graphics and stats you see on the video boards including the on-field promotional crew, the P.A. announcer, the ballpark organist and the music playlists fall under my umbrella.”
As with all of these aspects of the game day at Raley Field require sound reinforcement, Trevor appreciates the TouchMix-30 Pro’s generous complement of inputs.
“On a given game day, we’ll have, say, the graphics computer, which is feeding audio along with the video or graphics it’s displaying. Then, there’s the P.A. announcer, both on-field wireless microphones and the stereo inputs from the DJ playlist computer. If we have our organist here for the game, that’s another stereo pair. Lastly, when we have fireworks, we’ve used a CD player for background music. We still have inputs to spare, so we’re planning on adding more sources.”
Ballparks like Raley Field are huge venues, so the QSC TouchMix-30 Pro’s ample Aux outputs combined with its Wi-Fi remote control capacity proves vital to Trevor being able to check and adjust the sound from multiple listening positions.
“On game days, I am always running around. The number one thing that caught my eye about TouchMix is, while I’m walking through the ballpark I can control everything from my iPhone or tablet. If someone says, ‘Hey, this or that level is too high,’ I can go boom, pull it back, EQ it, mute something that’s being a problem, whatever I need to do.”
“I’m in the sound booth often during games, but it's the times when I’m not that is most important,” he continued. “We have speakers all around the concourse, and on the fascia up above the suites. The TouchMix is also feeding additional speakers inside the VIP suites and more still in our Legacy Club, which is a separate indoor room.
"There are also the outfield speakers. Even with the windows in the sound booth open, I can’t necessarily tell if something in a particular area is too loud or too soft, too effect-heavy or too dry, or EQ’ed ideally. So being able to actually go out there, pull out my phone, and make tweaks is absolutely critical, and I can do it without constantly running back to the control room. Working this way wouldn’t be possible without TouchMix.”
The emotional impact of a baseball game is at its best when what fans hear supports what they see from one play to the next. Trevor finds that for this purpose, the QSC TouchMix-30 Pro’s studio-grade effects processing slides right into the home.
“For the P.A. announcer, I can add in reverb and delay to give things an arena-like feel, or auto-tune pitch effects for a hip-hop or EDM vibe."
“Let’s say we want to do a ‘pump-up’ for a tense anticipation in the ninth inning, with that ‘epic announcer voice’ you’d imagine for a rallying moment. I can just add that to the microphone channel right onboard, without any separate effects unit or software or external routing. And it’s easy with TouchMix to get the perfect sound for that moment.
"When the ballpark was empty one night, I got on the P.A. mic and duplicated its channel. I experimented with effects on that channel and saved it when I had something I liked. Now, when we want the ‘epic’ voice, I can just bring that channel up and bring down the ‘normal’ one.”
Why does Trevor think audio is so important at an event where people are mainly there to cheer on their team? “I grew up going to games as a kid,” he recounts. “If you close your eyes at your favourite ballpark, you’ll become aware of how familiar the sound is. Every stadium is built differently, and each has its own unique sound. That creates nostalgia.
"It creates a sense of connection to the team. With all the action we have going on at once— the play, the promos, the end-of-game productions — if people enjoy the sound and the music, they’re going to forget about things like the weather or the traffic on the way here, and they’re going to come back.”
“At Raley Field, we’re trying to be very intentional about the sonic component of the fans’ experience, from the DJ playlists having a little something for everyone to anticipated ballpark organ, to effects on the announcer’s voice when needed,” he concluded.
“For all those things, and especially because I can control them from anywhere in the park, I’d recommend TouchMix-30 Pro any colleague who does what I do. The TouchMix mixer has literally changed the game for me.”
Prolight Invests in New Site
15 years ago, the Prolight Concepts Group moved from its home in Bury to its current home in Darwen. When we first moved here in 2003 from a 6,000 sq ft premises, we never imagined that we would outgrow the 37,000 sq ft premises we have today.
Our current home in Lancashire has become a busy hub supplying & distributing professional entertainment lighting and audio equipment around the globe. Today the buildings 37,000 sq ft capacity is fully occupied along with additional stock now being warehoused at two remote sites.
It is now with great sadness that we will soon say goodbye to our home of 15 years that has seen us grow to one of the market leaders in the event distribution industry. The move will, however, provide us with significant room to further our growth and expand our product portfolio.
Over the coming weeks, several more staff and roles will be created including a Supply Chain Manager and a dedicated Customer Services department to handle returns and spare parts.
Situated less than 4 miles away in the neighbouring town of Blackburn our new premises will see a tenfold increase in office and workshop space and treble the amount of warehouse bays. With the M65 motorway also being within such close proximity it allows excellent transport links to the M6 and the rest of the country for fast and efficient distribution along with easy access for visiting customers and suppliers.
“We are delighted to be able to secure the future growth of our business with this key property purchase. We have been actively seeking a location to build on the growth we have already accomplished and it was important to achieve this in the local area so we could maintain our highly skilled team,” said Andrew Jeffrey, Managing Director.
The new site incorporates a large open plan office and warehouse with multiple deliveries and dispatch bays. The 1.6-acre site and modern high bay building will be crammed with the latest equipment and technology including a narrow-aisle layout increasing order picking efficiency and warehouse stock bays. The open-plan office layout taken from our existing building will continue to be used allowing our sales, marketing, purchasing, accounts and managerial staff to all interact providing better communication. Two new purpose designed rooms will also allow our photographers and videographers to continue to provide the quality of digital and print media we’re renowned for.
Work has now commenced on the new site to convert the existing layout into our new home and accommodate our growth for the coming years.
Littlejohn Coliseum Chooses Bose Pro
The Littlejohn Coliseum at Clemson University (home of Clemson men’s and women’s basketball, in addition to occasional convocation events) was recently the subject of a massive $55-million-dollar renovation, with upgrades to seating areas, the facility’s roof, locker rooms, and more – including an overhaul of the Coliseum’s A/V systems.
The centrepiece of the new audio setup is a RoomMatch® system from Bose Professional. The system was specified by Audio System Consultant, Jim Brawley, who was contracted by the Project Architect, Greenville, SC-based firm LS3P.
James S. Brawley & Assoc. Inc. served as Design Consultant, and the system itself was sold and installed by Savannah, GA-based firm Stage Front Presentation Systems. A total of 36 RoomMatch array modules and eight RoomMatch RMS215 subwoofers make up the system, which features six main array clusters powered by Bose Professional PowerMatch PM8500N power amplifiers and ControlSpace® processing.
Brawley, a Clemson, SC, resident and himself a Clemson graduate and longtime fan, experienced another RoomMatch system at the nearby Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, which was hosting Clemson home games while the Littlejohn Coliseum was in the initial stages of the renovation.
“I have been pleased with RoomMatch in other installations I have been involved in, and then I got the chance to observe the performance of the system at Bon Secours, which confirmed to me that it was the appropriate product for these renovations at Clemson. RoomMatch offers a high level of performance and a great value for a system of this nature, with better coverage and more power than other comparable product lines.”
The biggest challenge was to suspend the loudspeakers near a catwalk, which was necessary for maintenance access, as boom lifts for rigging were banned after renovation.
James recalled: “We had to locate the clusters in a position where they could be raised and lowered with chain motors from the catwalk, which was a unique hurdle, but we were able to accomplish it relatively easily with the support of Bose Professional field personnel.
“We were also able to use existing wiring that was in place from the previous system without having to run new wires for the most part, which was a blessing. The system is a real success, with highly directed, focused sound providing smooth coverage for all seating areas. Response from the school’s athletic department and fans have been very positive. I’m proud to help contribute to such a successful project for my alma mater.”
Harman Delivers Fan Experience at Jyske Bank Boxen Arena
MCH Group recently installed a complete audio and lighting solution from Harman Professional Solutions in the newly built visitor’s foyer at Jyske Bank Boxen Arena in Herning, Denmark.
The Jyske Bank Boxen is a 15,000-seat indoor arena that hosts sporting events such as ice hockey and basketball, as well as concert events with international artists. Jyske Bank Boxen is part of the MCH Messecenter Herning exhibition centre in Herning, Denmark.
In preparation for the 2018 International Ice Hockey Foundation (IIHF) World Championships, the MCH Messecenter Herning opened a new visitor foyer, featuring a dynamic façade designed to direct visitors to the arena, exhibition halls and other areas of the complex. In order to deliver a memorable experience for guests in the area, MCH installed a complete audio and lighting solution from Harman Professional Solutions, made up of Martin, JBL, BSS and Crown.
A main highlight of the new visitor foyer is the unique façade on the outside of the building. The façade features triangles of multilayer, semitransparent material lit up by Martin Exterior Linear QUAD lighting fixtures. “We started with a shoot-out with a number of linear lights from various brands,” explains Martin Gehling, Head of Operations, Messecenter Herning. “We ended up selecting the Martin Exterior Linear QUAD Graze due to its uniform colour mixing, high output and the beautiful saturated colours. On top of this, the support from the Martin team has been outstanding.”
The Martin fixtures provide a smooth and consistent colour for each triangle, leveraging the superior premixed colour of the Martin Exterior QUAD fixtures. Each fixture is controllable, designed to allow the look of the façade to be adjusted to match the event going on in the arena.
“We are very pleased with the overall result and how the Martin lighting transforms the building into an exciting environment, perfect to build up the right atmosphere for our customers coming to a new arena concert or large sports event,” explained Martin. “Already, when people arrive from the highway, our façade is highly visible and people start looking forward to a great night.”
Inside the new foyer, a complete Harman audio solution provides flexible control of the high-quality, high SPL sound system. The solution features JBL Control Series ceiling speakers along with CBT and Intellivox column speakers, providing consistent coverage throughout the facility. The installation in the new foyer connects to JBL speakers located throughout the existing facility. The entire system is connected by a BSS Soundweb audio network for audio processing capabilities and is powered by Crown CDi Series amplifiers.
Karsten Ørkild, Project Manager at system integrator Lydrommet explains, “The end customer wanted a system that was able to deliver high quality, entertainment-ready sound at a high sound pressure. Thanks to BSS Soundweb, which connects the entire facility, local technicians can configure the system to fit any type of event. We are happy to have worked with Harman to deliver a system design and software programming that provides a flexible, reliable and future-proof audio system.”
EAW Reinforces UNG Convocation Centre
The University of North Georgia (UNG) recently built a 3,600-seat convocation. When it came to sound reinforcement, the University called upon Dallas-based Idibri who designed an Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) system that would be suitable for the various ways the venue would be used.
“The convocation centre is a multi-purpose facility that hosts student and community activities and academics while also being home to UNG Nighthawk basketball games,” explained Ben Boeshans, consultant for Idibri. “The EAW QX 300 Series loudspeakers are superb for speech and music and offer exceptional control. The distributed system works extremely well in an arena setting.”
The seating area is covered by 14 clusters hung in a ring around the edge of the basketball court. Twelve of the two-box clusters are made up of a QX364 on top with a QX366 on the bottom with the last two clusters – hung on each side of the half court line – utilize a QX396 on the bottom and the same QX364 on top.
The convocation centre, which was fortunate enough to have a high amount of acoustic treatment on the ceiling and walls, still benefited from the broadband pattern control the QX300 Series offers, which kept sound on the seating and off the walls. Ben noted, “It would also be a terrific solution for hostile acoustical environments. The control and fidelity make the end result pleasing to even the most critical listeners.”
The QX300 Series delivers great output and control in a compact two-way format. The loudspeakers pair an ultra-efficient high compression driver with a constant directivity horn and four Phase Aligned 10-inch low frequency transducers extends pattern control while the sound appears to originate from a single point source.
“This is now the largest multi-use facility in the area,” added Ben. “The space will be used for everything from graduation and basketball games to seating the floor for banquets, dances, job fairs and other community events. The new QX system works incredibly well for any event they may host. They are set for now and far into the future.”
Symetrix Stars at St. Augustine's
St. Augustine High School is the first private school admitted to the San Diego City League of Athletics and it recently opened a new athletics building. AV systems integrator Sound Image has designed and built a Dante-enabled sound system, managed by two Symetrix Radius 12x8 EX DSPs that serve the gym and ancillary rooms throughout the new facility.
"This was a design-bid-build project," clarified Michael Fay, who has been Senior Design Consultant at Sound Image during the project. During games, sound is primarily distributed to the bleacher areas, as well as routed to the 70 volt systems in the ancillary rooms. Events that use both floor and bleacher seating are focused on a stage location at one end of the gym.
Michael designed the speaker placement, aiming, and timing with these two basic setups in mind, creating six coverage zones of Bose RoomMatch-series arrays, driven by Dante-enabled Bose PowerMatch-series amplifiers. He used Symetrix SymVue software to create multiple scenes and controls that configure the room for various events. Some events run hands-free, while others are mixed with a Dante-enabled Yamaha TF3 console. For games, wireless mics and music tracks are mixed through the Symetrix Radius, using its gain-sharing automix module.
"SymVue is running on a Wi-Fi-enabled tablet computer to control minor level adjustments, while Crestron XPanel software controls a video projector, switcher, and screen," Michael detailed. "For instance, there's a preset on both the SymVue and XPanel GUIs labeled 'Large Event.' These synced presets push the various configuration commands to the Radius devices and the video system. The screen drops, the projector turns on, a computer input is selected, the FOH console is live, and the proper loudspeaker zone configuration is recalled. Each subsystem has basic override controls through the GUIs."
Upstairs are several classrooms, including a large classroom that can be subdivided with an air wall. "There are more ceiling speakers in the subdivided room than can typically be controlled by a single 70 volt volume control." noted Michael, "so we used two Symetrix ARC-2e wall panels up there, one for each side. That way, they can mute the speakers in the individual rooms or do independent volume control when they use the air wall." Levels in most other ancillary rooms are controlled with regular 70V attenuators.
A third Symetrix ARC-2e wall panel controls the gym feed and local input levels for the ceiling speakers in the lobby. "The lobby is the main entrance, and it's designed like a high-end hotel or corporate lobby, so it's functional and aesthetically pleasing," observed Michael.
"The lobby can handle overflow for the gymnasium or it can be a classy, standalone area for small pregame events. An 80-inch video monitor can hook up to a portable computer or display a video feed from the game court. There's a Dante patch, so they can bring in the Yamaha console, and local wired mic inputs with mutes and volume controls on the ARC-2e wall panel. The wireless mics work in that room, too." This project also included a fair amount of opportunity-based acoustic conditioning, much of which is hidden behind perf-metal overhangs and the bleachers. "It was an interesting job and well worth the effort," he insisted.
Bose Boosts Clemson Basketballers
The Littlejohn Coliseum at Clemson University, home of Clemson men’s and women’s basketball, in addition to occasional convocation events, was recently the subject of a massive $55-million-dollar renovation – including an overhaul of the Coliseum’s A/V systems.
The centerpiece of the new audio setup is a RoomMatch system from Bose Professional. The system was specified by Audio System Consultant, Jim Brawley, who was contracted by the Project Architect, Greenville, SC-based firm LS3P.
James S. Brawley & Assoc. Inc. served as Design Consultant, and the system itself was sold and installed by Savannah, GA-based firm Stage Front Presentation Systems. A total of 36 RoomMatch array modules and eight RoomMatch RMS215 subwoofers make up the system, which features six main array clusters powered by Bose Professional PowerMatch PM8500N power amplifiers and ControlSpace processing.
Jim, a Clemson, SC, resident and himself a Clemson graduate and longtime fan, experienced another RoomMatch system at the nearby Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, which was hosting Clemson home games while the Littlejohn Coliseum was in the initial stages of the renovation.
He noted, “I have been pleased with RoomMatch in other installations I have been involved in, and then I got the chance to observe the performance of the system at Bon Secours, which confirmed to me that it was the appropriate product for these renovations at Clemson. RoomMatch offers a high level of performance and a great value for a system of this nature, with better coverage and more power than other comparable product lines.”
The biggest challenge was to suspend the loudspeakers near a catwalk, which was necessary for maintenance access, as boom lifts for rigging were banned after renovation.
Jim recalled, “We had to locate the clusters in a position where they could be raised and lowered with chain motors from the catwalk, which was a unique hurdle, but we were able to accomplish it relatively easily with the support of Bose Professional field personnel. We were also able to use existing wiring that was in place from the previous system without having to run new wires for the most part, which was a blessing. The system is a real success, with highly directed, focused sound providing smooth coverage for all seating areas. Response from the school’s athletic department and fans has been very positive. I’m proud to help contribute to such a successful project for my alma mater.”
QolorPoint Illuminates Amazon’s Campus
QolorPoint Wireless LED Uplighters by City Theatrical were recently used to illuminate The Spheres on Amazon’s campus in Seattle, Washington with a purple lighting display to celebrate 100 days until Seattle hosts the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
Twenty four QolorPoint Wireless LED Uplighters were set up within the 4,000 square foot grounds of The Spheres to create high intensity coloured lighting effects that could be seen citywide through 2,643 panes of glass.
In addition to the intensity of light provided by the uplighters, the fixtures were selected to light The Spheres for their high level of portability and IP65 rating to protect against water and humidity used to nurture over 40,000 plants in the three massive domes. The uplighters will also be used for future events in The Spheres.
The QolorPoint Wireless LED Uplighters were controlled by plug and play wireless DMX technology with SHoW DMX SHoW Baby 6. The lighting package was provided by Barbizon Lighting Company.
Sonostudi Joins EAW Network
Sonostudi, a Spanish premier sound production company, has joined the Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) Adaptive network.
The Barcelona-based company recently acquired eight Anna array modules along with six Otto subwoofers. “The addition of Anna and Otto to our inventory will allow us to accommodate even more customers with high-quality sound reproduction no matter the venue or space we are working with,” explained Jofre Morte, Sonostudi owner.
“It will fit well into the needs any event requires plus the ease and speed that Anna’s software (Resolution 2) offers will simplify live event production.”
Since Sonostudi was established in 1978, the company has prided itself on being at the technological forefront of the industry. As a result, they are known for providing the products and services their clients need to produce high-quality audio-visual events including concerts, political meetings, congresses, festivals and more.
“We are delighted that Jofre and his team have joined other companies around the world the recognise the versatility and value EAW Adaptive brings to their company,” added Ken Dewar, EAW European Sales Director. “Sonostudi has a tremendous reputation for excellence in the region, it will be nice to have Adaptive associated with such a prestigious company.”
ARX Powers Commonwealth Games
TRC, the Australian distributor for the ARX signal processing product range, has recently supplied Norwest Productions with 20 units of the ARX industry standard ‘USB DI’ USB audio interface for use at the Commonwealth Games that took place on the Gold Coast this month.
As audio contractor to the Commonwealth Games, Norwest Productions specified the ARX USB DI for converting computer audio to balanced analogue signal as required throughout the complex AV setups across the Games.
Designed to get audio from a computer into a professional audio system easily and smoothly, the ARX USB DI Audio Interface is a true ‘Plug and Play' 24bit High Resolution digital to analog pro audio interface that removes the need to use any existing sound card outputs, with their inherent noisy environment and problematic grounding.
Featuring full transformer balanced output isolation to eliminate earth loops / ground hum and other extraneous interaction noise or distortion, the ARX USB DI has proven to be a tough, versatile and essential product in live production toolkits around the world.
A major production house and one of the leading suppliers to the live event industry in Australia, Norwest’s track record includes large outdoor music festivals, community events and major international events, including the Opening and Closing Olympic ceremonies.