Archives: Case Studies

The MAW Gallery

mero concepts is a boutique residential and commercial A/V integration firm based in Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, TX. As Founder/CEO Marc Oliveri explained, mero concepts has earned a reputation for carefully considering every detail on behalf of each client, from using the finest products to installation and maintenance procedures leading to best possible outcomes for their clients. This was the case when addressing the needs of The MAW Gallery, a newly constructed space dedicated to the presentation of select fine arts in Austin, TX.

 

The MAW Gallery, Austin, Texas

TREPIDATIONS

“The first thing I can recall the owner saying to me was that she wanted no audio at all in the gallery, for fear that the speakers would visually distract viewers’ attention,”

Oliveri

Initially, the project included data systems, security and cameras—but no audio. After looking at the plans, Oliveri thoughtfully offered some options for a discreet audio solution based upon the customization capabilities of James Loudspeaker. “We have worked with the team at James Loudspeaker for years serving our client’s homes, and their ability to accommodate the needs of each project with custom solutions really gives us an edge in the marketplace.” The gallery owner agreed to the A/V system based on the stipulation that “it had to blend in.”

Artwork on display at The MAW Gallery

OPTIMIZED POWER

Oliveri and his talented crew deployed a Control4 solution for the user interface and as an entertainment source in the gallery, and featured their music streamer along with an Apple TV—routing video content to a single Sony 77-inch OLED display, used mostly for classes and Q&A sessions with world-renowned artists as well as content from the Art Legacy Live app. Power to the eight pairs of speakers comes from an AudioControl Director® Model M6800 16-channel amplifier, delivering 200 watts per channel (into 4-ohm speakers as used here) from a sleek, 2U chassis. “We selected the AudioControl amplifier because it has superior power and performance, it has available drivers for Control4 interface and because of the M6800’s onboard DSP that contains profiles for many architectural speaker brands including James Loudspeaker. This saved us considerable time dialing in each zone to sound optimal.”

Equipment rack featuring AudioControl Director Model M6800 amplifier

DEFINING CUSTOMIZATION

Oliveri came up with a strategy for concealing the source of the sound throughout the gallery, suspending James Loudspeaker PD620.4 6.5-inch two-way pendant speakers from the ceiling. But his clever strategy also included custom conduit containing the speaker wire and suspending each pendant—which the team at James Loudspeaker manufactured for him to specification. Oliveri then Equipment rack featuring AudioControl Director Model M6800 amplifier James Loudspeaker PD620.4 pendant speaker acquired paint from the same source that had supplied the gallery’s painters and shipped it to the James Loudspeaker factory, where the speakers and sections of conduit were meticulously finished for a perfect décor match. So impressed was the gallery owner with the custom paint work, the team at mero concepts proceeded to disassemble all of the alarm and camera parts as well as the Wi-Fi access point covers, shipping a container full of small bits to also be custom painted. “We were already quite impressed with the products and services offered by James Loudspeaker, but to custom paint our array of miscellaneous parts from other manufacturers really speaks to how dedicated this company is to their dealers,” Oliveri stated.

Custom painted pendant speakers disappear into the ceiling
Wi-Fi access point and security camera dressed in custom paint
James Loudspeaker FXCQ620S ceiling speaker

SPEAKER SPECIFICS

The gallery audio system featured 12 of the James Loudspeaker PD620.4 speakers plus a pair of custom painted FXCQ620S in-ceiling speakers in the reception area and each restroom. The PD620.4 was engineered for a wide variety of applications including high open-ceiling environments such as The MAW Gallery. Featuring a 6.5-inch aluminum cone woofer and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, the PD620.4 has excellent efficiency, dispersion, durability and power handling. For the reception area and restrooms, the FXCQ620S in-ceiling

Loudspeakers were selected, delivering superb sound from a 6.5-inch aluminum cone woofer with a Santoprene® surround mated to the legendary James Loudspeaker Quad-Tweeter Array, featuring four aluminum ¾-inch aluminum dome tweeters angled precisely in a 22.5° offset array for wide dispersion, high power handling and low distortion. The materials used in these speakers make them ideally suited to high-humidity areas such as these gallery restrooms. The enclosures of both the PD620.4 and the FXCQ620S are constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum.

When all was said and done, the client was thrilled with the outcome. The staff as well as visitors to the gallery all enjoy the visually discreet technology throughout the facility. “All of us at mero concepts have a high level of respect for the quality of engineering, manufacturing and overall service we consistently receive from James Loudspeaker—but their nearly limitless customization capability is what truly sets them apart from all other audio suppliers and enables us to deliver the best entertainment systems tailored for each client.”

James Loudspeaker FXCQ620S ceiling speaker installed
Artwork on display at The MAW Gallery

CONCERT & TOURING​

CASE STUDY:
Concert & Touring:

Best Sound Systems

OUR MISSION
UNITE YOUR AUDIENCE

Martin Audio delivers signature sound with class leading coverage, consistency and control to truly connect the artist and audience for unforgettable concerts.

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The level from the front to the rear of the seating area changes considerably less than with a traditional speaker system, and the tonal quality is significantly more uniform. Knowing that people in the cheap seats are getting the whole mix is so great!

Ken Newman, FOH Engineer

Renowned Sound Systems

Martin Audio was founded to manufacture live performance loudspeakers for the supergroups of the 1970s, allowing such bands as Pink Floyd, The Who and Supertramp to play to larger audiences and be heard properly for the first time.

Since then, Martin Audio has earned a reputation for supplying superb sound systems across the spectrum of sound reinforcement and for a wealth of tours and concerts. Renowned for integrity in design, technical excellence and longevity of its products, Martin Audio offers a comprehensive range of touring speakers suitable for every type of venue, performance and application, with a focus on full frequency sound, control, coverage and consistency.

Event professionals, audio engineers, and touring artists count on Martin Audio for reliability and sound quality show after show.

Yes, I could use another PA system, but I stake my reputation on it never sounding as awesome as this show does with Martin Audio. This system enables you to achieve things that no other system offers.

Simon Honywill, FOH Sound Engineer

Unite Your Audience

Our philosophy of “Unite Your Audience” isn’t just a motto, it’s the guiding principle behind everything we do. Our systems bring our signature sound of clarity and impact with the coverage and consistency that truly connects the fans with the artist’s performance in every seat of the venue.

Class Leading Control, Coverage and Consistency

Since the mid-2000’s Martin Audio has been an innovator in the arena of line array optimisation – the ability to manipulate sound for improved control, coverage and consistency for the benefit of the user and the audience.

Today, our acoustical simulation software provides both highly accurate sound system prediction with the ability optimise the sound against target goals set by the user and the dynamics of the venue. The user specifies exactly what SPL and frequency response is required at various points throughout the venue and intelligent software automatically determines the array configuration and controls the array to produce that result. With such control, both non-audience areas and Hard Avoid® areas ─ such as on stage and beyond the venue perimeter ─ can be programmed in, and vertical coverage can be fine-tuned electronically.

This ensures for the artist, sound engineer, and touring team the confidence that the very best sound deployment possible in any given venue and conditions is achieved.

It is the only system I would consider for this kind of event. In addition to the extremely accurately defined coverage, the Hard Avoid® feature on stage and the incredible cardioid subs meant that we could really meet audience expectations while maintaining the stage quiet and clean.

Phil Wright, FOH Sound Engineer

Not Just For Rock ‘N Roll

Stand-up comedy has a long association with Martin Audio and over the years, along with our rental partners, we’ve helped support artists of the calibre of Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre and Kevin Hart.

High vocal intelligibility and consistency of coverage are paramount in comedy gigs, because if you miss one word the joke’s not funny. Arguably, it’s more important to have even coverage and intelligibility for a comedian than any rock concert you’re ever going to do, because at a rock concert everyone knows the chorus, but in a comedy gig no-one knows what’s coming next.

Martin Audio’s fastidious focus upon mid and high band clarity and projection is legendary and with our optimisation technology even coverage from front to back is an amazing quality to have for speech only shows.

The real challenge with stand-up is that we have to spend more time trying to avoid unwanted reflections whereas music shows can be more forgiving. Fortunately, we can comfortably deal with issues like slapback using the Hard Avoid feature in the software.

Toby Donovan, System Tech

Everyone we have had contact with at Martin Audio has been a pleasure to do business with. They seem genuinely interested in our situation and eager to help and I feel we can develop real one on one relationships. We could not be happier with Martin Audio as a business partner.

Steve Payne, Owner, Soundworks of Virginia, USA

I love this system! It’s great to be back on the Martin Audio gear. It’s a very detailed box and matches the subs perfectly.

Trevor Gilligan, FOH Sound Engineer

Stadium Loudspeaker Sound Systems

CASE STUDY:

Stadium

Best Loudspeaker Sound Systems

OUR MISSION
UNITE YOUR AUDIENCE

Martin Audio delivers rich, clear sound that envelops the audience helping to ensure that the next generation are inspired.

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The client’s reaction has been very positive in terms of the tremendous improvement in overall sound quality.

TSI on GCS Ballpark, home of the Gateway Grizzlies

Signature Sound, Class Leading Coverage and Performance

Since 1971, Martin Audio has been designing and manufacturing from its British headquarters high performance professional loudspeaker and electronics systems for both touring and permanent installation.

We have an extensive record of successful and award winning installations within a variety of worldwide educational spaces including halls, auditoria, theatre, hospitality as well as commencement and graduation events.

Martin Audio’s wide portfolio of loudspeaker solutions meet the variety of needs and challenges that education facilities face, while helping to guarantee a consistency of sound dynamics between different loudspeakers, as well as working within different project budget scenarios.

Critically, Martin Audio systems incorporate award winning patented technology to deliver superior coverage and consistency for the audience and articulate both speech and musical genres flawlessly to truly connect to their audience.

Portfolio Recommendations

EDUCATION: SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY SOUND SYSTEMS

CASE STUDY:
Education:

School & University

Best Sound Systems

OUR MISSION
UNITE YOUR AUDIENCE

Martin Audio delivers rich, clear sound that envelops the audience helping to ensure that the next generation are inspired.

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The aging and unreliable analogue solution was transformed into a world-class, modern, digital solution befitting of the cultural significance of the Great Hall to the University and local community.

Peter Coman, InDesign Technologies

Signature Sound, Class Leading Coverage and Performance

Since 1971, Martin Audio has been designing and manufacturing from its British headquarters high performance professional loudspeaker and electronics systems for both touring and permanent installation.

We have an extensive record of successful and award winning installations within a variety of worldwide educational spaces including halls, auditoria, theatre, hospitality as well as commencement and graduation events.

Martin Audio’s wide portfolio of loudspeaker solutions meet the variety of needs and challenges that education facilities face, while helping to guarantee a consistency of sound dynamics between different loudspeakers, as well as working within different project budget scenarios.

Critically, Martin Audio systems incorporate award winning patented technology to deliver superior coverage and consistency for the audience and articulate both speech and musical genres flawlessly to truly connect to their audience.

Portfolio Recommendations

Cruise Liner

CASE STUDY:

Cruise Liner

Best Sound Systems

OUR MISSION

UNITE YOUR PASSENGERS

Martin Audio delivers rich, clear sound for every facet of cruise ships, weathering conditions to inform and entertain your sea faring passengers.

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EVERYTHING IS WORKING EXTREMELY WELL AND WE HAVE HAD VERY GOOD EXPERIENCES ACROSS THE TWO SHIPS. NOW WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMMISSIONING THE NEXT FOUR SHIPS.

Torsten Hirche, Technical Director, Funa

Signature Sound, Class Leading Coverage and Performance

Since 1971, Martin Audio has been designing and manufacturing from its British headquarters high performance professional loudspeaker and electronics systems for both touring and permanent installation.

Like the five star floating hotels that they are, cruise liners offer a myriad of sound reinforcement opportunities: bars, nightclubs, lounge areas, cinema, live music, theatre, and of course announcement systems. There is also one vital ingredient, the need for exterior systems that can withstand the constant challenging weather conditions and salty air. With Martin Audio’s complete audio solution portfolio and weatherised and full marine grade products by special order, a cruise liner can perhaps offer the greatest example of our versatility, performance and quality.

Many of these solutions incorporate award winning patented technology that deliver a superior audio experience for guests and can solve acoustic challenges that the environment may present.

THE DELLA & SENG GEE GUILD HALL, PART OF THE KENT RIDGE GUILD HOUSE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE SOCIETY (NUSS)

PRODUCTS USED

  • 6 x iMAG THUNDER TH2001EWP Wall plate 4K AVoIP encoder
  • 1 x iMAG THUNDER TH2001E 4K AVoIP encoder
  • 5 x iMAG THUNDER TH2002D 4K AVoIP decoder
  • 1 x iMAG THUNDER TH900DS DIRECTOR

The Kent Ridge Guild House is the largest of the three guild houses managed by the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS). It offers a plethora of facilities including a fitness centre, a swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, restaurants, bar, karaoke room, and billiard and function rooms. Situated within the NUS campus, it is a great place to unwind and meet up with fellow friends and graduates.

It has been over 10 years since the last AV upgrade at the Kent Ridge Guild House, and so whilst many restrictions were in place due to COVID-19, the Management Committee decided to make use of the window of opportunity to upgrade the AV system at the Della & Seng Gee Guild Hall, the main ballroom, to provide members and guests with a stylish and elegant ballroom for corporate and private events.

Sylvester Fok of Media Systems has worked with the Kent Ridge Guild House team for many years and so Media Systems was chosen as the trusted system integrator to design and implement the system. The team was looking for something future-proof, simple to operate, reliable and within the stipulated budget. For the video matrix and distribution system they turned to iMAGsystems to provide the AV over IP system for the venue. iMAG’s Thunder 1g AV over IP system was chosen as the right solution using 6 Wall plate encoders, 1 standard encoder and 5 decoders creating a 7×5 video matrix and complete flexibility for the in-house AV team.

Once the Media Systems team started to implement the system, they started to experiment with iMAG’s new CONTROL UI, which is a full touch screen control system built into the Director software in Thunder. Once they realised how simple and quick it was to programme, they decided to replace the inhouse control system with iMAGsystems and have a full system implementation.

iMAG’s CONTROL UI enables the operators to control lighting, audio, screens, and projectors all from the touch screens in the venue. One touch screen is positioned in the main ballroom, and a second in the control room. Any user can plug into one of the 6 HDMI inputs around the room, whether it is operating as one large room, or two separate function rooms when the centre partition is in place.

Gerry Raffaut, President of iMAGsystems, commented on the system, “It is great to work with Media Systems and NUSS on this project. Media Systems was one of the first system integrators to implement our new CONTROL UI software and it worked perfectly. Sylvester and his programmers provided great feedback and we added in a couple of features they required to make the installation run seamlessly. It was a great partnership. Big thanks to NUSS and Media Systems for putting their trust in iMAGsystems”

Sylvester Fok, MD of Media Systems commented, “We have been working closely with NUSS and the Kent Ridge Guild House team for many years, it was an honour to be asked to look after this project. iMAG’s Thunder system worked well, and the CONTROL UI touch screen software enabled us to meet the budget whilst ensuring no compromises were made on the client’s requirements. Big thanks to the iMAG team in Australia, and the Generation AV team here in Singapore.”