Amongst all this, the hotel has for many years been the focus and hub of a thriving entertainment facility, with a full function suite and hall catering for private parties, large-scale weddings, concerts and conferences. Whilst proving successful, over time the hotel has suffered from noise pollution problems culminating in a recent problem that finally had to be addressed, when the new and bright young town Guarda (police officer) moved in right next door to the hotel.
Enter local Audio Visual and installation company Beta Systems in the shape of John Murphy and Kieran Hynes. Once Murphy and Hynes had completed an initial site visit it became clear the Hotel was finding it difficult to control volume levels during the various functions held, due to the fact that no in house engineer was employed and the fact that each event utilised different PA systems from various suppliers. After consultation with the operators it was decided that the function suite should have its own installed sound system, such that the Hotel could have control of the sound during each event.
Having worked with Andy Austin-Brown of KV2 Audio Europe on several projects in the past, Murphy and Hynes decided to invite Austin-Brown to visit the Hotel with a view to designing an audio system that would be simple to operate, provide the flexibility for the wide range of usage expected and above all, provide the operators with a level of control from a noise pollution point of view.
Once on site with the Beta Systems staff Austin-Brown pointed out that although several attempts to control previous visiting PA systems' levels had been unsuccessful, it was probably because the visiting bands were running their backline amps louder than the PA.
Once identified, a two-tier approach to controlling levels was provided. The PA system was built around the KV2 Audio ES1.0 mid hi enclosures and ES2.5 subwoofers, using the associated and matched EPAK amplifier modules. An APEX Intelli-Q Real Time System Optimiser was utilised specifically for its limiter qualities, Austin-Brown citing the requirement for a high quality linear limiter to offer the ultimate stopping power for the main PA.
To control the backline level an interesting solution was provided by using an Apex Hera, a sound level controller that will log system performance, using the supplied test microphone, which can be printed out as a log for identification and confirmation of levels maintained. The Hera was connected to a mains contactor, which in turn controlled all the mains outlets for the backline. The idea behind this was that if the band exceeded the set levels for a period of time then the mains outlets for the backline would be switched off.
Working in conjunction with the local HSO and the Hotel operators a level was determined and set, utilising the Hera once the threshold was exceeded (in this case 104dB) a 1 minute warning light illuminates as well as a large Apex LED readout of the actual SPL measured, which the band can see. If the level is not lowered then the mains for the backline is switched off for 30 seconds.
Whilst to some this may appear heavy handed it does two things, provides the operator with the ability to maintain his license and offers control of both the PA and backline without the expense of dedicated engineer operators.
So far the system has worked faultlessly, maybe initially to a few begrudging, visiting bands but for the sake and safety of the ve
