As part of this new addition to the campus, sound reinforcement takes on a new dimension with the installation of a sound system drawn from the Aero Series 2, Artec, and Arco catalogues of Valencia, Spain-based D.A.S. Audio.
Battle Creek MI-based AVTEK, a design / build and special events firm with a focus on AV installations for the commercial, education, and worship markets, was contracted to design and deploy the college's new sound system. Andrew Walker, who handles both system design and sales for the company, discussed the nature of the project and his decision to install D.A.S. Audio loudspeakers.
"With the February opening of the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Centre," states Walker, "Hillsdale College has a spectacular new venue that, in addition to being the new home of the tennis, track, and general fitness programs, will also serve as a special use facility for events such as speeches, presentations, various productions, and graduation ceremonies. For both sporting and other events, a high quality sound system capable of a high level of speech intelligibility and music reproduction was considered essential."
Ultimately, Walker and the AVTEK installation crew outfitted the room with 18 D.A.S. Audio Aero 8A powered, ultra-compact two-way line array modules, four LX-215A powered subwoofers, 24 Arco 24T moulded high-impact ABS enclosures, and three Artec 28 two-way passive loudspeakers. The Aero 8A enclosures are positioned using a flown left-centre-right array configuration of 6 boxes per hang while the LX-215 subwoofers are flown centred between the left-centre array and the right-centre array. The Artec 28's are flown above the mezzanine level and the Arco 24T loudspeakers are ceiling mounted to steel joists.
After just over a month in service, Walker reports the project is a big success for all involved, "The room sounds terrific and we've received numerous compliments. This new facility is a very important addition to the Hillsdale College campus and I'm pleased to say that D.A.S. had our back every step of the way. The company's support is amazing and was an important factor in the decision to use their equipment. With the D.A.S. sound system, the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Centre is a first-class sports facility with equally impressive sound."
(Jim Evans)
