Harman solution for Global Connect 2017
- Details
In order to elevate the event’s production values to their highest level yet, Technical Elements deployed a complete Harman solution consisting of JBL Professional speakers, Crown amplification and Martin lighting.
“The Harman audio and lighting products helped us execute the production plan in a pristine manner,” said Winfrey Shields, owner of Technical Elements. “The clients were very pleased with the clarity of the audio system. We had some challenges with weight ratings for the roof, and we had a number of LED walls in the space, and so we had to get a little creative with the design. But at the end of the day, the success for the customer is the primary goal, and they were elated.”
The ballroom audio system featured 66 JBL VTX V20 loudspeakers, configured in four 10-box main hangs and four six-box delay-hangs. Eight JBL VerTec VT4886 loudspeakers served as side-fills. Fourteen JBL VTX S28 subwoofers were deployed on the ground in two sets of eight. Crown I-Tech 12000HD and I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers supplied the power. JBL HiQnet Performance Manager 2.0 software provided system configuration, optimization and monitoring. Lighting included 50 Martin Viper Performance fixtures and 66 Martin Aura fixtures.
“The V20 is such a versatile box,” said Shields. “It provided great full-range sound and did a fantastic job of allowing the singers to cut through. The networking capability of the Crown amplifiers was also quite helpful. We were able to shape and manipulate the system at will from a laptop with a wireless router.”
With a multitude of breakout rooms to oversee in addition to the main ballroom, keeping everything running smoothly presented a complex logistical challenge. Technical Elements managed it all through advanced planning, and by bringing in five audio systems techs, five lighting system techs and 38 sound engineers. The sound and reliability of the JBL audio systems also helped greatly.
“There were seven larger breakout rooms that all featured JBL VRX932LAP line-array systems,” said Cosbie Hollenbeck, account manager at Technical Elements. “Plus, we had 24 smaller breakout rooms that used JBL PRX, JBL EON ONE, or both. We were very pleased with the performance of all the systems.”
From a lighting standpoint, it was a challenge to create a system for lighting both the stage and the large ballroom. To address this, Technical Elements utilised a combination of Martin fixtures. Aura fixtures were distributed throughout the room as overhead lighting, and could instantly change the colour of the entire ballroom when required. The Viper Performance fixtures were used mainly for the stage area.
“The lighting was just as impressive as the audio,” said Hollenbeck. “The setup was super easy. We loved that there were timing shutters for the front light. The Auras and Viper Performance fixtures performed well - the colour temperature was great. We love the Martin line.”
(Jim Evans)
