Originally a Victorian orphanage, the building was later converted into fourteen courtrooms, with a modern annex adding another six. "Consequently, the acoustics in the rooms are awful," relates Simon Neller, the Court Service's project manager. "There's always been a major problem for jurors in hearing soft-spoken witnesses." He noted that, in many cases, asking vulnerable witnesses to speak louder or repeat sometimes distressing testimony tended to exacerbate an already traumatic experience.
LMC Audio's sound reinforcement design is based around 19 QSC CX302 amplifiers, each fitted with DSP4 digital signal processing modules connected via QSC's exclusive DataPort connector. The DSP modules provide signal processing for the sound, which is generated live or from the DMR-designed digital recording system.
"We wanted an amplifier with a minimum of controls, and one that would be reliable through a regular, heavy-duty cycle," explained Mark Bromfield, LMC 's project manager. "We also knew we would need EQ and a good bit of compression. The CX302 was an obvious choice, particularly since, with the DSP modules, it could take on the signal processing as well."
The typical courtroom audio scenario involves dealing with a wide range of volume, from the soft-spoken and shy witness to the shouts of an angry defendant. "In order to achieve greater audibility, we had to compress the system quite a bit, and then EQ it," relates Bromfield, "because the number of open mics would have generated feedback. We were able to achieve this all within the QSC environment."
The microphones are mixed to a Phonic Micro 1 mixer, and recorded to hard disk for archiving and subsequent review. To prevent tampering with system settings, the mixer is hidden out of sight, and their integrated security covers protect the QSC amplifiers. The amplifiers' rear-panel DataPort also allows them to be remotely monitored and controlled via QSControl, QSC's powerful networked audio system, thereby further increasing system security.
(Lee Baldock)
