Author: ContentAdmin

HIGH ROLLER

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date May 8, 2023

Seaworld’s new Leviathan rollercoaster takes AV theming to the next level.

Photos: ULA Group

Rollercoaster influencers: they’re a real thing and they were out in force when the Leviathan launched. Of course, they were actively invited in by owners Village Roadshow for the occasion of the unleashing of its new rollercoasting beast at Seaworld on the Gold Coast, in the hope they’d be wow’ed and spread the word.

Turns out, they were impressed. This is a brand new wooden rollercoaster that not only provides the requisite on-ride thrills but amps up the anticipation via a full-blown immersive AV experience while you’re in the queue and boarding the ride.

NEXT LEVEL THEMING

The theming and AV is next-level. The biggest ticket items of the install is the VuePix Infiled display technology that does justice to the amazing animations, while the multi-channel QSC Audio loudspeaker system in the boarding zone takes care of the audio from the Pixera media server.

Cameron Crawford, Project Manager at Village Roadshow Theme Parks sets the scene:

“Leviathan is our new signature ride at The New Atlantis precinct, which opened in December 2022. We have many different rides throughout our parks. But this is something that has never been done before in terms of a timber roller coaster and an immersive precinct themed in such a big way.”

The Prestige Group and Run By Media were responsible for the AV integration. The Prestige Group, ably led by General Manager, Nathan Wright, is a highly credentialed Gold Coast-based integrator, which took care of the installation, while Run By Media (with Chris Jenkins running point) is somewhat of a theme park specialist, ensuring the content was running and triggering properly. It also took care of the themed lighting installation. Earthstory Productions imagined the theming while Cutting Edge created the content.

VISUALLY LED

There are eight VuePix Infiled MV series screens installed, all of them of 2.9mm pixel pitch, totalling over 12.3 million pixels. All of the displays are an irregular shape, with the largest one (11 x 3m) installed overhead in the main area of the rollercoaster load zone.

“The VuePix Infiled screens were mainly chosen for their superb reliability, great durability in this kind of environment and local product support,” comments Nathan Wright. “There has also been a high level of customisation involved in this project, due to the excess salt air in this location. A double coating of silicon has been applied to all the screens to help them withstand the harsh elements in this environment.”

The complex control solution is run by NovaStar H2 processor, with a Pixera media server triggering all the content via various motion sensors and ride controllers in certain parts of the coaster.

MONSTER SOUND

The audio is just as critical for taking patrons on the journey into the Leviathan’s lair or ‘load station’.

Run by Media’s Chris Jenkins explains: “There are 32 channels of audio coming out of the Pixera media server, routed to a loudspeaker setup in the load station comprising 25 speakers and five subwoofers. On the ceiling are a further 11 loudspeakers. We specified a combination of Martin Audio CDD5 surfacemount loudspeakers for their superior audio quality, the Martin Audio SX112 Ultra Compact subs and QSC Audio Acoustic Design 6ST surface mount speakers. They’re powered by QSC Audio CX-Q networked power amps.

“How’s it sound? It sounds incredible. Cutting Edge did a great job with the content and it all came together on site reasonably easily without too much fiddling around.”

UP IN LIGHTS

The lighting is the Leviathan coup de grace. It too was installed by Run by Media. Once night falls, the Leviathan lighting is spectacular. The entire rollercoaster is externally lit (with Show Technology Fusion Wash fixtures) and the lighting is also a programmed part of the ride (relying on Studio Due Terra L5 IP67-rated LED up/downlights). In fact, audio and lighting follows patrons up the main lift hill. Then, once the coaster goes over the top, a sensor triggers follow-lighting around the full extent of the track.

We Are Sabre took care of the initial lighting design. Clint Dulieu programmed the entire lighting show, while Toby Sewell provided the lighting production design. An MA Lighting GrandMA3 console was selected to control the lighting.

“We also provided the client with 10 preset colours to theme the rollercoaster for special events,” notes Chris Jenkins.

LEVIATHAN

Leviathan is a huge investment. What’s more, it’s part of three new rides (collectively called New Atlantis), so the stakes for Village Roadshow are high. The philosophy around the AV implementation was simplicity of operation and for the programming and gear selection to be as off-the-peg as possible — no arcane programming or boutique items that are expensive to update or replace. Oh, and it had to be reliable… for obvious reasons. Downtime is a loss of revenue, and unplanned maintenance is expensive.

“The client made it very clear, they wanted a ‘drag ’n’ drop’ approach to new content, and not expensive updates. And when it comes to suppliers, the client didn’t want a cast of thousands. We’ve been very happy with what we’ve got from Technical Audio Group and Show Technology, while Prestige is clearly happy with the ULA VuePix product, as are we.”

UNIQUE THRILL

Rollercoasters and theme parks operate in an international market as well as a local one. If you’re a rollercoaster enthusiast, you’ll have your bucket list of must-experience rides across the globe. For Village Roadshow, it was important for the Leviathan to compete — it needed to be world class.

“There is no other load station for a timber rollercoaster like this in the world,” says Cameron Crawford, “and it has been very rewarding to watch people’s reactions and how they interact within the environment. Some of them are overwhelmed and it takes them a few goes on the ride to take it all in and to enjoy the unique thrill that this immersive experience provides.”

Martin Audio

Darshan Raval Rocks Medi Caps University with Martin Audio!

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date May 8, 2023

The recent concert at Medi Caps University featuring the talented Darshan Raval was an absolute spectacle. With a footfall of over 12,000 attendees, the concert was one of the biggest events the university has ever hosted. The concert was made even more special by the use of the Martin Audio system WPL for the music system.

Product Line-up

WPL

2 x 12” Bi-amp Three-way Line Array

SXH218

2 X 18” Passsive Hybrid© Horn/Reflex Subwoofer

ik42

Four-Channel 20,000W Class D Power Amplifier

Testimonials

“As the Director of the recent concert at Medi Caps University Indore (M.P) featuring Darshan Raval, I was extremely impressed with the Martin Audio system that was used for the event. The Martin Audio WPL system delivered an exceptional audio experience to the audience, and it played a crucial role in making the concert a huge success. Overall, I am extremely impressed with the Martin Audio system, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for exceptional sound quality and reliability. Whether you are hosting a small event or a large concert, the WPL system from Martin Audio is the perfect choice for delivering a truly unforgettable audio experience. It is a product that is backed by exceptional performance, and it is sure to exceed your expectations.”
Mr. Mahesh Hardia
Director, Hardia Sound & Lights Pvt. Ltd.

“As a system engineer who has worked with several sound systems in the past, I can confidently say that the Martin Audio system is one of the best in the business. I recently had the opportunity to work with the Martin Audio WPL system during the concert at Medi Caps University featuring Darshan Raval, and it was a truly remarkable experience. From the moment I began setting up the system, I could tell that it was designed to deliver exceptional sound quality. The WPL system was easy to set up and configure, and it provided an incredible level of flexibility and control over the sound.”
Mr. Palkesh Hardia
System Engineer, Hardia Sound & Lights Pvt. Ltd.

“The WPL system used for the concert was an excellent choice, and it delivered outstanding results. The system’s power and precision enabled Darshan Raval’s electrifying performance to reach every corner of the venue, providing a truly unforgettable experience for everyone present.”
Kekul Sheth
Head of Sales, VMT Distribution

“The Martin Audio WPL system was used for the concert, and it delivered an exceptional audio experience to the audience. The sound quality was crystal clear, and every note and beat of the music was delivered with incredible depth and richness. The WPL system was able to deliver consistent sound quality throughout the venue, ensuring that everyone in the audience had an enjoyable and immersive experience.”
Jeff Mandot
National Sales Manager, VMT

LEA Professional

LEA Professional continues growth in APAC with Vietnamese Tech Sound

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date May 4, 2023

VIETNAM: LEA Professional has unveiled its distribution partnership with Tech Sound of Hanoi, Vietnam. This partnership allows LEA Professional to increase support for its existing customers in Vietnam, as well as further develop new opportunities in the country.

Co-founded in 2022 by Nam Am Thanh and Le Ngoc Diep, Tech Sound is a distributor of pro audio equipment in Vietnam and is committed to bringing the most advanced audio technology to the market, along with sound engineering services. “We are so proud and happy to represent the LEA brand and the company’s innovative IoT and pro audio power amplifier technologies in the Vietnamese market,” commented Mr. Nam, President and CEO of Tech Sound.

“LEA Professional is an extremely intelligent power amplifier with many features that appeal to our customers – Smart Power Bridge, Cloud connectivity, SharkWare and Web UI, to name a few,” added Nam. “The one feature that clearly sets LEA above the rest is the company’s commitment to sustainability and green power – something we greatly admire and don’t see in any other amplifier brand.”

“We are excited about the energy and enthusiasm Mr. Nam and the Tech Sound team bring to the LEA brand,” said David Wong of Generation AV, LEA’s representative in Asia. “They know the Vietnamese market well, their salespeople are extremely skilled, and they are strongly committed to customer service and bringing the very best products to the marketplace.”

“I would like to welcome Tech Sound to the LEA family,” commented Scott Robbins, vice president of sales, LEA Professional. “Mr. Nam and his team have an infectious enthusiasm for our brand and our breakthrough technology, and I am thrilled to have them on board in Vietnam. Tech Sound is a key piece of our efforts at growing the LEA brand in the APAC region.”

Martin Audio

GOOD FIT

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date May 4, 2023

1R gym in Melbourne’s image conscious South Yarra has raised the bar for fitness centre AV.

Gyms are starting to look a lot like nightclubs. But one gym brand, born out of the UK, has upped the ante considerably. 1R (or ‘1Rebel’ in the UK) provides a full-blown nightclub experience for its patrons: curated, high-energy dance mixes reproduced through top-notch loudspeaker systems and accompanied by theatrical lighting.

“It’s unapologetically intense,” according to 1R Head of Operations, Catharine Rose. “We’re creating a very specific feeling; a very specific energy at very specific points in the class.”

Clearly, nothing is left to chance in the fitout; everything is designed to allow patrons to do and be their best. It’s designed to be enjoyable and exciting — little wonder then that patrons are happy to pay per 45-minute class rather than sign up to an annual ‘guilt trip’, lock-in membership.

There are three distinct spaces — Reformer, Rumble, and Reshape — addressing different exercise disciplines. All the fitness rooms are windowless concrete bunkers. All the ambience is supplied by the equipment, the technology and the instructors.

1R’s representative company, Fitwork Group, approached fitness centre AV specialists, Avivo, which, in turn, called on specialists David Gilfillan director of Gilfillan Soundwork to provide an audiovisual design and Showtech to assist with the lighting design for the club.

CONCRETE RESOLUTIONS

1R Melbourne is located at the new Capitol Building in the hub of South Yarra. Spanning a total of 800sqm, every aspect of the design (by Foolscap Studios) and fitout is meticulously thought through.

“We inherited the space after the building work had been done, which includes consideration for reduction in audio transmission between studios and from the club to the rest of the building and residents upstairs,” explains David Gilfillan.

“Getting even coverage across the studio floors was really important,” continues Avivo’s Peter Ivanoski.

David Gilfillan mapped the three main rooms in EASE, to predict and optimise direct field coverage. A distributed system was necessary to avoid too much variation in level, and because of the unusual room shapes.

“Two of the rooms are narrow with low ceilings. To help keep reverberation under control, we were offered a fixed amount of acoustic absorption for the club. It was not quite enough, but we developed a plan to install the material to the surfaces where it could have most effect,” explained Peter.

SPEECH THERAPY

Achieving a nightclub audio experience in sealed concrete bunkers is tricky but with the aforementioned acoustic treatment and a carefully positioned loudspeaker system, it’s possible. But fitness centres have an audio sting in the tail: instructors need to speak over the music. 1R’s Catharine Rose sets the scene: “There can be up to 40 people in a session at any one time. The instructor’s role is keep everyone safe, and they are guiding patrons through the program and cueing music and lighting. They are controlling the volume of the sound, selecting the lighting programs, and through their instructions they are also really helping to provide the energy.” Almost like a cross between a ring master and a lifeguard.

Avivo specified the industry standard headset mic, the AeroMic — which is well known for its robust manufacture and high resistance to sweat and moisture. But that’s only half the solution. Peter Ivanoski explains: “In an environment like this it is really difficult to lift speech over the music. I’ve seen lots of clubs try. Often you’ll see instructors yelling to be heard over a big-box PA, and they will distort the mic channel, and you’ll get clipping, and things get ugly very quickly.”

For a project where the quality of the audio is paramount, Peter and David couldn’t cross their fingers and hope there would be enough gain before feedback to be heard over the loud music. Instead, they proposed a design that borrows from an old theatrical technique: give the speech channel its own signal path independent of the music playback system.

The resulting audio design in the two long spaces sees Martin Audio CDD6s dotted down both sides of the room for speech, interspersed with CDD8s for music. A further four Martin Audio Blackline X210B double-10-inch subs complement the music.

The squarer, ‘Rumble’, punching bag room uses fewer CDD10 for music and CDD6s for speech.

“Gyms want that experience of a big nightclub sound thumping away at their chest, plus the voice of the instructor over the top, and that’s really hard to achieve, particularly when the instructor is walking around inside the listening area,” explains David Gilfillan. “Having the independent channel for speech helps us refine the speech component. Why don’t more people do it? Cost, mainly, but also, it’s tricky to set up. Once you factor in the extra cost of the speakers, the wiring, the amplifiers, the installation time, the architectural impact and the commissioning, it’s a significant cost. But for 1R, it’s totally worth it. When Peter and I pitched our ideas and concepts to Fitwork and 1R, they were on board from the start. They immediately saw the potential benefits and gave us the green light to help them create something special.”

MUSIC RECIPE

David Gilfillan reveals some of the special sauce applied to give the music playback maximum impact without going bonkers on the SPL.

David Gilfillan: We target a certain level for music, and make sure the system’s gain structure doesn’t force too much compression. We measure in dBA because it’s easy, but our music spectrum is fairly fixed — we’ve got a recipe for a music spectrum or EQ profile, which is actually the secret sauce for these spaces.

AV: Ok. Spill the beans.

David Gilfillan: We have a target average frequency response spectrum for each of the studios. When we know from our basic EASE modelling that the coverage of the venue is uniform, so that average is representative for every listener. Once we meet that profile, we can lift the level to our ‘known good’ sound level and know that it will satisfy people. It won’t be super-loud but it will be satisfyingly loud. We also know that with a bit of work, we can get the microphone level over the top of it.

AV: How did you arrive at the frequency profile?

David Gilfillan: Repetition. Pleasing instructors and gym-goers in many, many venues over several years and keeping track of the data. The result may not be my go-to response for every job but it always results in a happy client. It sounds clean, solid and satisfying. The system needs good design along with neat, thoughtful and accurate installation. It needs the right loudspeakers and amplification and control system – the whole package matters.

BAR RAISED

In a world where there seems to be a fitness centre on every second corner, 1R shows what it takes to stick out from the crowd. 1R is based in the epicentre of the very image-conscious suburb of South Yarra and its clientele take fitness seriously. Which is why every aspect of 1R is fastidiously curated. Even the ‘Repair’ change rooms are an interior designer’s dream. 1R raises the bar for fitness AV… pops 50kg on each end of the bar and raises it again.

Martin Audio

ECO-FRIENDLY UNPLUGGED BUG TO ENTERTAIN GUESTS AT PLASA FOCUS LEEDS

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date May 2, 2023

Martin Audio has joined forces with Belair Technology and The Bug Club to entertain visitors to PLASA Focus Leeds. The ultimate eco-friendly VW Pop-Up DJ Booth will be stationed in the courtyard between the two halls at the Royal Armouries between the 9th and 10th of May to demonstrate what can be achieved with the latest in sustainable festival technology.

Already proving to be a popular option for events across the UK, the fibreglass-built vehicle is 30% larger than a standard VW Camper and is designed to be a ‘festival friendly’ DJ booth. The custom-built Martin Audio sound system runs entirely on renewables thanks to Belair’s rack mounted Power Tower. The Power Tower is a clean and modern rechargeable battery-powered replacement for noisy and polluting generators and with its easy-to-use operation combined with silent running and zero emissions delivers the perfect ‘off-grid’ solution.

“PLASA FOCUS LEEDS HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ENJOYABLE SHOW FOR US AND WE’RE SURE IT WILL BE THE SAME AGAIN THIS YEAR,”
James King, Martin Audio Director of Marketing

The sound system that Martin Audio custom-built for The Bug Club is capable of entertaining crowds of up to 500 people. It comprises two 15” 3-way high performance loudspeakers, each pole-mounted to a double 15” direct radiating subwoofer. Amplification for the system is via Martin Audio’s highly efficient yet powerful iKON 81.

“We’re excited to support the live industry and showcase how live sound events can become more sustainable in the future,” said Justin Rushmore, Managing Director of The Bug Club. “Our Unplugged Bug has been well-received everywhere it has been, from tradeshows to football matches and we’re looking forward to proving what sustainable festival technology can deliver in Leeds.”

The Unplugged Bug is just one part of what visitors to PLASA Focus Leeds can expect from Martin Audio at the show. The pro audio pioneers will use the event as an opportunity to take visitors through some of its expanded range with the new FlexPoint and expanded TORUS families on display on stand N-C19.

“PLASA Focus Leeds has always been an enjoyable show for us and we’re sure it will be the same again this year,” said Martin Audio Director of Marketing, James King. “We’re certain that the Unplugged Bug will be a real hit with visitors this year and we’re delighted to be able to help add to the entertainment that this event always guarantees.”

For more information: https://martin-audio.com/environment/unplugged-bug

Optimal Audio

The importance of music and a great sound system in hospitality

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date April 29, 2023

Any hospitality venue can use music to communicate the feeling it seeks to evoke—whether it’s a soothing retreat from busy daily life or a contemporary concept venue. The right music and speaker deployment leaves no doubt about it. It will help cement the desired image and reinforce your brand ethos from the very moment of entry, until your customers leave.

Sound, like all the other senses, is a means of establishing an emotional bond with customers. In 1982, Milliman and colleagues conducted research in New York City to examine how music tempo influences buying behaviour. The study found that playing slow music resulted in customers spending more time in the store and a substantial increase (32 percent) in gross sales, as opposed to when fast music was played. By creating a comfortable ambiance that encourages customers to linger and make more purchases, mellow, down-tempo music generates more revenue.

Music triggers a chain reaction within the human body, leading to physical and emotional effects, but it can also trigger strong memories. The first chord of a favourite song can transport a person to an earlier time and translate those emotions to the present. Spending time and budget on décor, furnishings and lighting is important, but many forget about the impact that a great sound-system and the right music can have on sales.

Let music make money for your business

As a business owner in the hospitality industry– be it a hotelier, a restaurant manager or owner of a chain of bars, there is a great opportunity to create the right ambiance, which is both aligned to your brand, as well as will enhance your overall guest experience.

Ambiance is a key ingredient in the delivery of exceptional service, which in turns generates customer loyalty and revenue. If you get this right, you open the door to a fruitful relationship with your customers and partners.

Sound is crucial in setting the exact tone for a space. Loud, buzzy, energetic music immediately gives a vigour and excitement to the air and therefore guests are more exaggerated, flamboyant, and full of energy. Laid-back, sultry music sets a tone for indulgent evenings but at a more relaxed pace. Music is essential to set the pace of the experience.

Stand out from the competition

Businesses are regularly on the lookout for innovative ways to boost their brand for it to stand out, often the simpler, the better. Usually when thinking of the components that create a brand, or customer experience, visual elements such as logo, signage, colours, textures and even smell are considered.

The role of music in establishing an identity is too often overlooked, especially as it’s a cost-effective and direct way to establish desired outcomes.

Music is probably one of the more subconscious inspirations of interior design. A lot of the same elements of interior design are found in music: rhythm, harmony, repetition, movement. Music and design are very much connected. And in the same way a musician will combine all of these musical techniques to create sound-based ambience, designers combine design elements and principles to create physical ambience. Then, when combined, the two really complement one another.

Creating a good sound environment for your guests

Sound affects us 24 hours a day and the difference between a pleasant, well-designed sound environment and an unpleasant, noisy sound environment can be crucial. Both when it comes to the overall experience of the space, but also when it comes to health.

But getting the right background music and ambiance is one thing, what about the sound system itself? It doesn’t matter if they’re playing your favourite song if it sounds ‘tinny’, ‘harsh’ or just ‘incoherent’. Equally, if you’ve invested money into a good sound system, but it takes your staff away from the important jobs at hand because the system is too complex to manage, then it just creating more headaches.

This is where Optimal Audio excels. Ideal for small to medium sized multi-zoned hospitality installations, our streamlined portfolio makes selecting the right product, quick and simple.

Robin Dibble, Optimal Audio technical support engineer comments:

“Ideally, a noise level under 70 decibels in the restaurant is pleasant to the ears and ideal for conversations. Louder music will tend to have a negative impact on the comfort for the customers. Excessively loud music playing in the restaurant is a significant mood spoiler and makes it impossible for the customers to indulge in a conversation.

For bars and pubs, the audio system should be able to sustain between 75 and 90 decibels comfortably, sometimes more. During the day background levels are mostly what is required to allow comfortable conversation. As the day progresses towards the night, venues will want to increase levels to build atmosphere and to allow music to remain at a comfortable level during busy times or become a significant part of the evening’s entertainment.”

Let’s summarise

The right music and a high quality, reliable, and easy-to-use sound system is a crucial ingredient to a successful hospitality venue.

When you choose an Optimal Audio sound system you are choosing a product that will work equally in the background or foreground and provide an ease of management that means you and your staff are focussed on your customers.

The Optimal Audio eco-system

Whether venue staff or audio installers, our mission is to make commercial audio products that are easy to use, affordable and sound great.

Optimal Audio offers a range of on wall, ceiling, and subwoofer loudspeakers that produce warm, coherent and rich sound. Designed by world-class engineers, they offer premium sound quality at a cost-conscious price point. The type of speakers required may be dependent on the type of business they’ll be used for.

Furthermore, our Zone controllers provides the foundation to deliver efficient, high-quality multi-zoned sound systems. When combined with WebApp you unlock the full potential of our loudspeakers via onboard EQs, speaker presets, structured time of day routines and so much more.

This is critical, not to just ensure the sound performance is at its optimum, but to also provide full flexibility for the venue for when maybe music starts and finishes in a given zone and at what the sound level is in those respective areas.

Draft

MARTIN AUDIO HELPS HUAHAI LIVE HOUSE LIGHT UP FOUR CITIES

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date April 29, 2023

CHINA:

While entertainment trends constantly evolve, the love for music remains unchanged. Do you still remember your first experience watching a live performance?

As the independent music scene continues to thrive, attending performances at live houses has become a popular lifestyle choice. With its high-quality sound and immersive entertainment atmosphere, Huahai Live House features a wide range of music genres, from jazz and punk to pop and rock. It has quickly become a top recommendation across major social platforms, earning its reputation as a must-visit destination for trendsetters.

So, what makes Huahai Live House stand out among so many similar venues?

To deliver the most captivating sound experience, the investors of Huahai Live House chose Martin Audio’s MLA active multi-cellular array and WP intelligent line array sound reinforcement systems for their locations in Hohhot, Baotou, Taiyuan, and Xi’an.

As a world-renowned professional audio brand, Martin Audio’s high-end sound systems are known for their legendary sound quality, uniform coverage, and precise control. These systems have effectively addressed common issues faced by live venues, such as overly loud main speakers, lack of detail, and imbalanced frequency response. Thanks to Martin Audio, Huahai Live House has achieved consistent, high-quality sound, helping the venue light up four cities!

The sound system at Huahai Live House features WP intelligent line array speakers, which incorporate the optimization technology of Martin Audio’s MLA® system. This system is driven by external power amplifiers to support an expandable line array configuration. By employing advanced waveguide technology across all frequency ranges, the system delivers enhanced acoustic performance, ensuring powerful and balanced sound across low, mid, and high frequencies.

To further enhance the live experience, Sino Huifeng’s audio design team carefully calibrated the delay settings for each speaker based on its specific placement in the venue. This ensures that the reverberation is distributed evenly, allowing audiences in every section to enjoy a seamless listening experience with accurate stage sound positioning. As a result, attendees can fully appreciate the rich details of live music.

Huahai Live House combines top-tier concert sound quality and an immersive atmosphere with the renowned sound performance of Martin Audio, creating an unforgettable musical experience. Isn’t it time you experienced it for yourself?

Click here for original article.

LEA Professional

LEA Amps Power Luxurious Resort: JW Marriott Marco Island

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date April 27, 2023

LEA Amps Power Luxurious Resort: JW Marriott Marco Island

When the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort needed to upgrade its Florida property’s audio system they decided to go with LEA Professional to help complete the install.

Let’s dive in!

THE SPEC

LEA AMPS POWER LUXURIOUS RESORT: JW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND

Venue: JW Marriott Beach Resort | Marco Island, FL

Integrator: K Systems

Audio Spaces: Entire resort

Product Used: CONNECTSERIES 354D, 704D, 84D, and 702D (28).

THE VENUE

LEA AMPS POWER LUXURIOUS RESORT: JW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is situated along three miles of peaceful, pristine, private beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. The resort is expansive with 12 restaurants, two championship golf courses, a fitness center, spa, and multiple meeting and conference facilities. With music and audio quality of critical importance to the total guest experience throughout the property, it was necessary for K Systems to design and install a scalable audio solution to make it easy for Resort management to operate.

THE INSTALL

LEA AMPS POWER LUXURIOUS RESORT: JW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND

For some time, the resort had been battling with an audio system that was fragmented, and a challenge to operate and keep maintained. While different engineers had fixed issues over the years, these ‘band-aid’ solutions had only aggravated the problems. Understanding they needed a more sophisticated solution to provide guests with a sensational sound experience that would match the luxuriousness of the resort, management contacted K Systems and owner Mitchell Piper.

“When we began the ‘treasure hunt’ we started with the mechanical elements,” said Piper. “Where is all the equipment? What speakers are working; what speakers aren’t working? What wires are broken etc. And that level of discovery takes a long time. It’s like peeling away a gigantic onion. And frankly, you are always still discovering things. That’s just how these properties work, because there’s no institutional knowledge. So you have to pick it up in dribs and drabs, you have to talk to everyone, understand what their frustrations are and what they want to accomplish. Eventually a pattern emerges where you can really see the overarching concerns.”

From this level of discovery, Piper was met with two main problems: a mechanical problem and — as Piper described it – ‘a vibe problem.’ In terms of the mechanical issues, there was a severe lack of understanding as to how many of the systems of the property operated. On top of this, many of the current systems needed to be constantly rebooted. From speaking with management, Piper realized the resort needed a system that could be centrally controlled through the cloud and would be reliable enough that there would be no need for continuous rebooting. If all of these things were in place, he was confident he could restore the musical experience for guests and ultimately fix the ‘vibe’ problem.

Piper and his team ended up gutting the entire system and designing a complete redo. One of his first tasks was to find and spec out equipment that could connect to the cloud.

“On a property like this, where there are twenty different closets of equipment, it is important for management to be able to ‘see’ the entire property, either through a cloud or through a network, and then be able to control the equipment on the property through that connectivity,” commented Piper.

K Systems installed 28 LEA Professional Dante Connect Series amplifiers for maximum coverage, a mixture of 354D, 704D, 84D and 702D.

“I was pleasantly surprised by just how simple the set up was,” commented Piper. “We’re a small business, so each member of the team wears a lot of different hats. Frankly we do not have time for complexity when it comes to install protocol. When we went to install the LEA amp, I think it took me maybe five minutes to connect it to the cloud.”

THE CONCLUSION

LEA AMPS POWER LUXURIOUS RESORT: JW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND

“The tools and resources available to me from LEA are terrific,” quips Piper. “I recently installed the company’s Sharkware application software which makes it easier to locally connect to all of the amps on the property and make adjustments.” Of particular help is the simplicity around amp troubleshooting. Each LEA amplifier features an indicator–a smiley face where everything is good, and a frown or yikes if there is potential trouble. “On a property like Marco where you have two dozen amps running through the cloud, a quick scan of smiles or frowns makes identifying trouble spots a snap,” adds Piper.

As a small business, every little bit helps. “We’re a microenterprise. I don’t have time to set a guy alone for seven hours just to learn everything, read every manual, etc. When we have a question, microenterprises are more dependent on help from manufacturers and trusting that you’re going to get that support when you need it in a timely manner is exceptionally important. The technology I provide gives people joy and I need partners like LEA who can help me get there.”

Overall, the resort’s management has been extremely impressed with their upgraded audio system – one that is now centrally-controlled, reliable and sounds good. Piper is proud to attest that the positive musical vibe on the island has been restored and that the sound experience is now a true pleasure as well as treasure.

We would like to thank everyone at JW Marriott Marco Island Resort & K Systems for choosing our amps on this killer install and we hope our amps provide quality sounds for years to come.

Optimal Audio

Tidy Optimal Audio Solution for Norfolk Restaurant

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date April 20, 2023

Flipside AV recently installed an Optimal Audio Zone 4 and ZonePad to control three audio zones at a modern café, bar and hotel called Bang in Wells.

The daily pressures upon hospitality staff are always challenging and the last thing anyone wants to worry about is a complicated sound system. That’s where Optimal Audio provides the perfect solution.

Zone 4 is a zonal audio controller with DSP providing everything required in a single compact unit to become the beating heart of an efficient, high-quality multi-zoned commercial sound system and features 4 line and 2 mic inputs plus 2 HDMI inputs for TV and video sound. It allows the installer to independently allocate sources across four configurable zones, such as a lobby, bar or restaurant, and each zone can be configured to do precisely what is required using the intuitive WebApp. This includes EQs, speaker presets, structured time of day routines and so much more.

In the case of Bang, Zone 4 was installed to control audio for three zones and once configured a ZonePad 4 was added to make end usability effortless. ZonePad 4 is an elegant wall mounted controller, providing users clear and simple access to the essential controls of up to four zones. It gives all users the confidence and access they need to operate the system and features a clean, slick intuitive touch interface, enabling selection, volume control of playback sources and microphones to be easily controlled across the zones of audio from one position. Controlling the sound system on the move is no problem for the venue staff either. The manager of the venue has WebApp pinned to home screen on the venue iPad, ensuring that changes can be made quickly and easily if needed.

Optimal Audio was the perfect fit according to James Heath Cooper, MD at Flipside AV:

“The unit was super-fast and easy to set up with just the right amount of control for the team to get the best out of the sound system. In terms of price, it’s spot on really and has some lovely value-added functionality like the HDMI audio inputs. The customer is very happy and finds the system effortless to use. It’s added a lovely vibe to the establishment.”

Martin Audio

TORUS HELPS GET SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL OVER THE FINISH LINE

Post author By ContentAdmin
Post date April 17, 2023

Having upgraded the MARC Theatre in Salt Lake City with a Martin Audio Wavefront Precision system in time for the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, cinema specialists DBPC again turned to the Martin Audio catalogue this year to find a solution for another of the event’s iconic theatres.

Due to the pandemic, 2023 marked the event’s first staging in front of a live audience since 2020, the year that DBPC was formed by Dan Beedy, a long-term member of the event’s technical crew (and latterly project manager), and another Sundance veteran, Ben Van Donkelaar. They have been tasked with systematically upgrading sound systems used in the event’s theatres to keep pace with the fast-moving advances of digital screen technology.

While the Boston, MA-based specialists were tasked with fitting out all Sundance cinema spaces this year (working with Sundance Institute Technical Director, Holden Payne), Beedy’s attention turned, in particular, to the ornate and historic Egyptian Theatre in Park City, one of the Sundance Festival’s oldest and most recognisable venues—focusing on upgrading the surround sound. His search led him to Martin Audio’s TORUS constant curvature system as the final piece in the jigsaw.

Explaining the background, he said, “In 2018 we added permanent surrounds to the theatre. Since the Egyptian is a year-round theatre not operated by Sundance, we had a lot of restrictions on what we could do. The theatre is historic, so we had even more limitations on placement. It was agreed with the theatre that we would install them at the bottom of the soffit around the ceiling. The soffit was plaster only, so a light and small speaker had to be chosen.”

Ultimately the speakers—four on each wall—were hung from the ceiling to prevent them from being an eyesore, all year round. But of course the placement was less than ideal for cinema. “The height and the size of these speakers made them under-powered and underwhelming for the audience. For this year’s festival, getting the speakers lower was one of my main goals.”

“TORUS REALLY GOT US OVER THE FINISH LINE”.
Dan Beedy, Project Manager, DBPC

Enter Martin Audio Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Martha Callaghan, complete with the manufacturer’s award-winning TORUS platform. Dan Beedy soon recognised the advantages. “Although I hadn’t heard them before, Ben was aware of them and felt they would be an excellent choice. And I’m glad I trusted his instincts! Having a wide pattern would represent a real upgrade, and would help realise the filmmaker’s intention in their sound mixes.

“In addition to that, we wanted to add the [Martin Audio] WPM line array as the behind-the-screen workhorses for the L/C/R part of the system.” These were reinforced by SXH218 subwoofers with the whole rig powered by Martin Audio multi-channel iKon processor amps, and run over Dante.

As to deployment of TORUS, The Egyptian is a bijou 200-seat theatre and thus three T1230 enclosures on each wing provided the necessary side surrounds. Due to the protective nature of the house, some lighting instruments were moved to make way for the speakers, which were set in lighting alcoves at optimal height for surround speakers and distributed as single boxes.

“We were aiming for complete horizontal coverage in the space while limiting the amount of vertical spread that would be reflecting off the opposite theatre wall. The effect of the T1230 was amazing! We had limited reflection off the walls and were able to direct the sound mainly at the audience,” exclaims Beedy.

In terms of visualisation and optimisation, in stepped Martin Audio’s tech team of Joe Lima, who was responsible for the initial system design, and Will Harris, who becamede factosystem tech, handing over to Jim Barlow from Dolby for final tuning.

The change in speakers had been responsible for the audio change, notes Beedy. An ancient, 30-year-old point source system—from which they could only achieve a sound field of about ± 6dB from the front to back and about ± 5dB side to side—was replaced with a Martin Audio set-up from which they achieved a mere ± 1dB front to back and side to side.

This consistency is a philosophy dear to Dan Beedy’s heart, and underlines his advocacy of combining cinema products with speakers purposed for live work. “I’ve always felt that we can achieve a better end product for the audience combining the best practices from both disciplines,” he says. “Since we are often tasked with turning non-cinema spaces into cinemas, we as a company feel using products designed for those spaces is typically a better choice. Martin Audio has been an excellent choice for us over the years. We’ve used their CDD, O-Line, WPS, WPL, and MLA products to great effect in movie premieres and film festivals.” To that list he can now add TORUS.

Reflecting on his desire to have every seat receiving a near-identical audio signal, he confirmed “TORUS helped us achieve that 100%. Martha’s suggestion was an excellent one as we’ve never previously come close to achieving the side surround spread at the Egyptian.”

To underline the point, he added, “We use trailer material for testing between all venues to get a sense of how each house sounds with the same pieces of content. The Egyptian had some of the best surrounds at the festival this year.

“TORUS really got us over the finish line. “Next year, we’d like to have an additional four to the rear to complete the 7.1 surround field. Unfortunately, this year, the challenge of mounting those rear speakers was too great for the timeline. As for WPM, I was really impressed with how it sounded and worked in a small-to-medium sized cinema space.”

Photograph credit: Presentation and Outside Venue shots, photographs by Maya Dehlin, courtesy of Sundance Institute. Used by Permission.

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