AV systems, including the security cameras, building security, classroom sound reinforcement, public address and sound system for the cafetorium and gymnasiums, were installed by Muzak of Toledo of Toledo, Ohio. Muzak of Toledo's engineer, John Raymond worked closely with Beuhrer Group to optimize the AV systems.
As in many small towns, the high school is also a centre for community activities of all kinds, including theatrical productions and musical concerts as well as athletics. All of these and more can take place in Fayette Local Schools, in a multipurpose space that includes both a gymnasium and cafétorium. A central stage is accessible to both spaces, which can be separated or combined depending on the event.
While some acoustical treatment was installed, the interior has an abundance of reflective materials like cinder block walls, glass windows and hard floors. This made it all the more difficult to design and install a system that could handle a very wide range of events without depending on an expert operator.
To keep things simple, Muzak of Toledo turned to advanced technology: Iconyx Digital Steerable Array Systems from Renkus-Heinz. Muzak of Toledo installed four Iconyx arrays: two IC32s (assembled on site from four IC8 modules) recessed into the gymnasium walls, and two IC24s (three-module arrays) in the cafétorium side.
The DSPs for all arrays were pre-programmed on a computer running BeamWare 2.0 software. This application allows designers to create virtual models of the room and the audience areas, then define, aim and raise or lower multiple beams of acoustical energy in software. The programme displays the results in visual form. When the SPL (sound pressure level) and intelligibility is acceptable throughout the listening area, the designer tells the program to calculate processor settings (equalization filters, delay and amplitude) for each driver in the array. The settings are later uploaded to the Iconyx arrays once they have been assembled and installed.
Using RTA and TEFF data, the appropriate beams were assigned to properly cover the gymnasium and cafetorium. To ensure that the rear wall reflections were kept to a minimum, the IC32s for the gym were steered into six beams and optimized for coverage at all levels of the bleachers.
"I was concerned about the coverage of the gym area from the standpoint of throwing sound from one end of the gym," says John Raymond. "Typically, we would use cabinets hung from the ceiling, distributed evenly along the front of the bleachers, however, the Iconyx more than satisfied the sound requirements for the area. We are able to run at anywhere from 90 to 104db throughout the gym and rear wall echo is negligible. This configuration allows both the bleachers and floor to be fully covered. There is not a bad sound seat in the house."
(Jim Evans)
