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Technomad Mass Notification System Powers Outdoor Audio at Western Washington University

Technomad Berlin narrow dispersion loudspeakers and PowerChiton amplifiers deliver intelligible voice to three outdoor zones on campus

Western Washington University‘s sprawling campus in scenic Bellingham stretches 215 acres, with nearly 15,000 students walking the grounds during the fall and spring semesters. The university gives prominence to campus safety, recently upgrading its fire alarm system in 47 buildings and adding a mass notification system to improve audio quality and long-distance coverage.

Western Washington University ultimately benefits from pristine voice clarity and intelligibility over long distances by using Technomad loudspeakers and outdoor amplifiers

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Mills Electric Co., a Bellingham-based electrical and systems contractor serving the commercial and industrial markets, installed the multi-zone audio system in conjunction with Western Washington University support staff. Technomad Berlin narrow dispersion loudspeakers exclusively power three outdoor zones at campus-designated “gathering areas.”

Technomad PowerChiton high-power waterproof amplifier modules drive live and pre-recorded messages to the loudspeakers for campus-wide broadcast. The project also marries all indoor/outdoor PA points and associated pan/tilt/zoom cameras to an existing Edwards EST-3 campus-wide fire alarm system, programmed and upgraded by Performance System Integration, an Edwards EST Life Safety and Communications Strategic Partner.

The complete system ties to a central network infrastructure, enabling administration, campus police and other offices to deliver voice notifications to any single location, multiple zones, or every PA point in an “all-call” scenario.

Cory Kovacevich, a service and project manager at Mills Electric Co., notes that the Technomad loudspeakers produce intelligible voice over long distances, ensuring that students, staff and visitors hear emergency notifications loud and clear. Each gathering area includes two Technomad Berlin 90×40 loudspeakers, mounted between 20 and 90 feet from the ground depending on the location. Weatherproof construction ensures long-term durability and protection from the outdoor elements in rainy northwest Washington.

Kovacevich adds that the PowerChiton modules deliver 500 watts of clean power to each Berlin loudspeaker in a simple, easy-to-install package. Though IP66-rated and designed for permanent outdoor installation, Kovacevich installed the PowerChitons indoors at the central audio headend for easier accessibility.

“The PowerChitons come in small, non-metallic enclosures and take up minimal space, which is important because we have limited room to add equipment,” says Kovacevich. “The PowerChitons tie directly to the fire alarm system, and are mounted next to the fire alarm panels. This keeps everything but the loudspeakers and cameras in one building.”

Kovacevich notes that the overall system represents a major upgrade for the campus, enabling text-to-speech translation and remote access to make announcements over the system from off campus — in addition to video integration, multi-zone capability and superior audio quality.

“The Berlins put out some serious sound,” says Kovacevich. “We had recently broadcast a test message from the rooftop and saw people more than 100 yards away stop, turn around and look directly toward the loudspeakers. The university is very happy with the power, sound quality and clarity of the voice.”

ABOUT TECHNOMAD

Technomad LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range weatherproof loudspeaker and now offers nine models ranging in power from 60-watt loudspeakers to 1250-watt subwoofers — most available in Turnkey PA System packages featuring amplifiers, mixers and other signal processing equipment in pre-wired racks. The company also manufactures a variety of audio infrastructure and communications equipment including playback and recording systems, weatherproof power amplifiers and turnkey remote audio systems. Contact Technomad at 617-275-8898 or visit http://www.technomad.com for more information.

Technomad DragonFly Portable Audio System Debuts in Europe

Compact, integrated Micro PA system is first weatherproof system of its kind

BOSTON, December 7, 2011 — Technomad brings DragonFly, the world’s first completely weatherproof, all-in-one, self-casing portable PA system for the commercial pro audio market to ISE2012 (January 31-February 2, RAI Exhibition Center, Hall 3, Booth #3D144), marking its international debut.

DragonFly portable weatherproof pa system - light, small, and LOUD. Great sound quality, 4+ hour operation from internal battery.

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$The DragonFly is the commercial AV industry\'s first self-casing, all-in-one weatherproof, portable PA system$

The DragonFly, adapted from Technomad’s rugged military technology, is ideal for mobile pro audio and staging events that require outstanding audio quality, lightweight portability, quick setup, ease of operation and durable construction for outdoor events. The weatherproof design fully protects system components from moisture, dirt, shock and other elements in outdoor environments, supporting everything from ceremonies and parades to sporting events and concerts.

The inclusion of green, rechargeable and long-lasting NiHM battery power, along with a potent audio output, supports mobile audio free of extension cords for crowds of approximately 2,150 in size. NiMH battery technology, which uses nickel-metal hydride materials, is far more energy-efficient than lead-based batteries used in many portable audio systems today.

The DragonFly offers a uniquely small form factor for a fully functioning PA unit, sized at 14-1/2”x8-1/4”x14” and weighing 28 pounds. It contains two Technomad loudspeakers (expandable to four) and a 200-watt amplifier, and is one of the only portable PA systems to offer an integrated four-input mixer with individual controls. Collectively, the professional audio features provide a powerful output with broad dispersion, projecting intelligible speech and high-quality musical reproduction over long distances and wide areas.

“The DragonFly provides high-quality portable sound without worries by eliminating any risk of equipment loss due to quickly developing weather changes at outdoor events,” said Rodger von Kries, vice president of Technomad. “The DragonFly is shockingly loud considering its small form factor, and its high-fidelity performance is an ideal upgrade from low-fidelity horn systems. Compact and flexible with advanced battery technology, it advances what is possible in portable PA while delivering Technomad’s military-grade reliability and weatherproof construction.”

Other standard features include 16+ user-selectable channels for UHF applications, an integrated wireless microphone and an expansion bay to support an additional mic and a CD player. Network interfaces for streaming audio to other PA systems or receiving audio over a network via a wireless connection are included. Users can also add a Technomad Schedulon mp3 playback and recording system for instant, manual playback of user-loaded audio; or automatic playback of files (single-, multiple- or repeated-play) through down-to-the-second scheduling.

The convergence of neo-driver, amplification and NiMH battery technology supports the compact, lightweight and high-powered portable PA design. The internal NiHM battery comes with a charger for powering up in the field, and the unit operates on 120-240VAC and 12-24VDC power — making the DragonFly also useful as a fixed indoor or outdoor PA system, temporary or permanent.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD

Technomad and Wortz Consulting Upgrade Stadium Sound at Tuskegee University

BOSTON, September 28, 2011 — Tuskegee University in Alabama is renowned for its academic and athletic excellence. The latter includes the university’s celebrated NCAA Division II football team, the Golden Tigers, which boasts a 106-year history and 28 SIAC Conference championships. The Golden Tigers stand with a few elite college football teams with more than 600 victories, and have won more games (630) than any of the other “Historically Black Colleges and Universities” (HBCU).

Tuskegee University installed both wide and narrow dispersion models from the Technomad Berlin loudspeaker range

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$The Technomad Turnkey PA system replaced aging horn and signal processing systems at Tuskegee Unversity\'s football stadium$

The seventy-year-old, 10,000-seat Abbott Memorial Stadium is a historic treasure to Tuskegee University and its alumni. The university, in alignment with ongoing stadium preservation, recently added a Technomad Turnkey PA system with six Technomad Berlin weatherproof loudspeakers. The system plays out intelligible voice and high-quality music across four zones and long distances for football games, graduations and other stadium events.

Wortz Consulting, an Alabama-based IT consulting company with expertise in audio/video, network infrastructure and lighting, designed and integrated the sound system. Chris Wortz, president, balanced perfect sound detail inside and outside the stadium. The Technomad system substantially improves sound to the field, bleachers, press box, common outdoor spaces and a lawn section with picnic areas.

“The sound needed to extend beyond the stadium and the bleachers to an outside lawn area where fans watch the games,” said Wortz. “The local high humidity and storm potential also required an environmentally strong, weatherproof sound system that provided great audio quality and did not need constant maintenance. We chose Technomad because of their reputation for superior sound and environmental durability. They exceeded our specifications for sound while meeting the environmental challenges we faced.”

The Technomad Turnkey PA system for Tuskegee University includes two Berlin loudspeakers, a pre-wired amplifier, six-channel mixer, two microphones, power equipment, loudspeaker mounts, cables and connectors — all delivered in a 6RU shock-mount equipment rack. Wortz added four additional Berlins, including two Berlin 6040 narrow dispersion loudspeakers to enhance directional audio targeted to specific areas. Wortz also ran new wiring and bolted the loudspeaker mounts for extra support.

“Everyone at Tuskegee is extremely pleased with the sound installation,” said Mr. Reginald Howell, director of audio visual services at Tuskegee University. “Thanks to Technomad and its superior sound system, we can now use our beloved, historic stadium for graduations as well as football games, which we have been longing to do but could not because of the previous inadequate sound system. Tuskegee University is delighted with Technomad’s sound quality, reach and environmental durability.”

Technomad Delivers Big Sound in Compact Package for Illinois Zoo

Vernal and Vienna models deliver news, exhibit information and background music across seven acres in durable, weatherproof package

BOSTON, September 14, 2011 — The bird calls, primate howls and other noises coming from the Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora, Illinois, are balanced with a new, high-quality audio system that delivers news, exhibit information, and background music to some 200,000 visitors each year.

A cluster of Vernals in a general thorofare

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$AST used Technomad\'s flexible mounting options and yoke mount systems to properly position the loudspeakers$

Chicago-based systems integration firm AST (Advanced Systems & Technologies) installed a 70-volt system with eight weatherproof Technomad advanced audio loudspeakers to provide intelligible voice and high-quality musical reproduction throughout all seven acres of the zoo. Seven Technomad Vernal loudspeakers discreetly cover the grounds, providing audio to visitors nearby the animal exhibits. One Technomad Vienna loudspeaker provides long-distance audio projection to patrons at the main entrance gate and visitor center.

The compact Vernal and Vienna loudspeakers, mounted on various building eves, light poles, and fences, are part of a custom turnkey installation that replaced an outdated system scarred by time and weather. Both models are powerful, IP56 weatherproof, two-way, full-range loudspeakers built to withstand tumultuous weather conditions, including the extreme summer heat and heavy rains often experienced while the zoo is open for business.

“We needed a more efficient way to communicate with our visitors, especially in the event of a storm or if an animal were to escape,” said Randy Johnson, manager of Phillips Park Zoo. “The weatherproof aspect drew me to Technomad, and the sound quality of the loudspeakers has exceeded our expectations. I recorded some WAV files and have short zoo ads randomly playing in between the music segments, and everything sounds great,” Johnson said.

Johnson enlisted the help of AST for a professional installation, and AST quickly determined that Technomad was the best choice for the project.

“The Vernal and Vienna loudspeakers were chosen for their weatherproof construction, and their throw distances perfectly matched our needs,” said Terry McCarthy, partner and design engineer at AST.

McCarthy strategically placed the loudspeakers outside the animal enclosures and above the reach of visitors. He also took advantage of Technomad’s flexible mounting options, utilizing the company’s sophisticated yoke mount anchoring system. McCarthy installed four runs of high-quality, 12-gauge audio cable to provide the 70-volt power distribution to all the loudspeaker locations.

“We hid the cables at Randy’s request so they weren’t visible to the public,” he said. “This took extra time but it resulted in a great payoff for the zoo. The loudspeakers blend perfectly into the surrounding environment, and the audio sounds great. Once you install them, you never have to worry about them.”

ABOUT AST

AST is a national audio, video and lighting systems design and installation company celebrating 30 years of industry experience. For help in your area, e-mail info@ast-av.com or call 214.243.7652, or visit http://www.ast-av.com for more information.

Technomad Schedulon Feeds Audio to Cowboys Stadium Perimeter

Schedulon delivers event information to fans as they enter the stadium based on user-defined, automatic playout schedules

BOSTON, September 7, 2011 – The game of football is all about timing. From running a slant pattern on offense, breaking up the pass on defense, or booting the extra point through the uprights, precise execution is essential to success.

The Schedulon informs fans of event details as they enter the stadium

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The Technomad Schedulon audio playback and recording system is all about precision, giving facility operators, PA engineers and other users the freedom of scheduling automatic playback of audio files down to the second, while maintaining a high level of manual control. The Schedulon is also a reliable message repeater, playing back audio messages on a schedule created by the operator.

The Dallas Cowboys, with one of the more storied histories in the National Football League, opened its approximately 80,000-seat stadium (expandable to 100,000 seats) in 2009. The stadium has since hosted major events including Super Bowl XLV in February and the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. The facility operations staff uses the Schedulon to welcome home-fans and visitors to the stadium.

The Schedulon connects to the perimeter loudspeaker system outside the stadium, providing information and directions for Cowboys games and other live events. With ten entrances to the stadium, the Schedulon plays out event details as fans enter the Pro Shop entrance at the northwest gate, and Club and Suite guests at the northwest, southwest and other entrances. The Schedulon also welcomes and informs reserved ticket holders at six other entry points. Operators can schedule audio events for automatic playback at specific times on specific days to coincide with games and events.

Technomad recently began shipping Schedulon v3.0, delivering down-to-the-second scheduling and a 200-percent increase in data transfer speeds to vastly improve file upload times. An updated, more intuitive user interface enhances schedule building and creation as well as remote content management. New user-protection and operator-access features provide multiple password levels for administrators and general system operators.

The Schedulon includes an internal power backup option that provides up to 20 minutes of battery-powered operation. The battery keeps scheduled playback events on target for approximately 75 minutes. The Schedulon immediately ‘wakes up’ at the current time to resume playback of all scheduled content after battery power expires and the unit is restarted.

The Schedulon functions as the audio source for a single PA system (in the same way a CD player or iPod can), or to feed audio to large scale paging/background music systems. Scheduling can be as straightforward or complex as desired, down to the exact time of day. All recording, uploading and scheduling tasks can be achieved without the need for a computer or web browser to minimize the risk of crashes and viruses.

Photos credited to Ralph Cole Photography/Courtesy DCFC.