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Technomad Aboard Cunard Cruise Lines

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – Wavelength Systems and Design, Inc., finds success with Technomad loudspeakers for on-deck cruise ship entertainment systems. Wavelength recently installed an aft-deck entertainment system, consisting of four Technomad Weather Tech Noho/C Installation model full-range loudspeakers, aboard the Cunard Cruise Lines, Vista fjord. Installed three decks above the main aft entertainment deck, the Noho/C loudspeakers deliver crisp, clear and articulate sound over the complete multi-level area. The Nohos cut through the noise of the environment, without harshness, and due to their ‘EQ compliant’ design, deliver a solid, imp active low-end response that does not weaken or diminish over great distances.

Mr. Greg Dunn, Vice President of Wavelength Systems and Design, notes, “We have been designing permanently installed Technomad systems where the lids for the loudspeakers are easily accessible, so the loudspeakers can be quickly covered prior to wash down. The power and processing rack, which is the equipment that is most susceptible to the elements, is rolled out independently, and the technician just plugs into the Technomad’s jacks. These Technomad systems are usually going out on the fore, aft or pool deck entertainment areas. It’s also nice to get the Technomad loudspeakers in the white, as well as 13 other colored enclosures, which is a feature other manufacturers are not able, or unwilling, to provide in their weatherized speaker models.”

Technomad loudspeakers go into some of the harshest and abusive environments on a ship and, according to Mr. Dunn, “No one ever complains about them. We normally hear back about every piece of equipment we install on a ship, but we have to ask, ‘How are the Technomads holding up?’ and the answer is always, ‘they are working great.’ The comfort level with Technomad is definitely there.

Mr. Dunn continues, “Aside from the weatherization characteristics of a Technomad, if you look at the logistics of the Technomad cabinet construction alone, you can literally ship a Technomad without any packing material. So in terms of using them for ‘bang around’ outdoor, portable, on-deck systems, as well as permanently installed systems, I have never heard any negative comments.”

Derek Warner, freelance audio/video consultant with cruise line entertainment technology specialists, C-Deck 731, of Santa Monica, California, has worked with Technomad sound systems installed aboard the American Hawaiian Cruise ship, Independence, and most recently, the new Technomad system installed aboard Cunard’s, Vista fjord.

During the month Mr. Warner was aboard the Independence, he became familiar with a Technomad system consisting of two Berlin loudspeakers that are permanently installed on the aft entertainment/pool deck, facing into the wind. After he learned the two Berlin loudspeakers had been installed over 18 months earlier, Mr. Warner’s initial comment about the durability of Technomad loudspeakers was simply, “These things are unstoppable!”

Transferring to the Cunard, Vista fjord, Mr. Warner comments on his second Technomad experience. “The Technomad system of four Nohos is sub-mixed from the disco, which overlooks the Vista fjord’s aft-deck. Our first test of Technomad system was for the Easter Morning Sunrise Service. I know not exactly a stunning way to show off the new loudspeakers, since all we were doing was standard vocal PA. But, the DJ and I gave the system a thorough test later that first day at sea. The DJ thought the Nohos were too small to cover the whole deck. Let me tell you, those little Technomads blew everyone away. He’s a believer now; you’ve got yourselves another satisfied customer.”

For more info about the services of Wavelength Systems and Design, contact Greg Dunn, 721 East El Segundo Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245 Tel: 310-322-9075 fax: 310-322-0720

For more info about the services of C-Deck 731 (since he is never home) reach Derek Warner at derek731@aol.com.

Princess Cruise Lines install Technomad Weather Tech Loudspeakers

El Segundo, California – Princess Cruise Lines, through Thomas-Gregor Audio of El Segundo, California, recently took delivery of a total of eight Technomad Berlin model, full-range loudspeakers for two ship installations. Four white Berlin loudspeakers aboard the Crown Princess and the Regal Princess, now provide complete and thorough high-fidelity sound coverage for the each ship’s main pool deck area. The Technomad Berlin loudspeakers were part of several systems upgrades that recently took place while the Crown Princess was in wet dock in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and while the Regal Princess was in dry dock in Portland, Oregon. According to Paul Cutone of Thomas-Gregor Associates, “The loudspeakers previously used in these pool deck sound systems had completely deteriorated due to the harsh environments found at sea. New Crown MacroTech 2400 amps, outboard processing and EQ were added in addition to the Technomad loudspeakers. Several components of the systems, such as the Ashley MM508 mixers, Crest CA4 monitor amps, JBL stage and monitors remain intact.”

While the two ships cruise the Alaskan waterways in the summer, and the pool decks are not utilized, the Berlin loudspeakers are securely sealed with their installation-version, water-tight, gasketed lids. In the winter months, when the ships cruise the Caribbean, the lids are secured to the back of the Berlin loudspeaker cabinets when the loudspeakers are active. “During evening hours, when the decks and walls are hosed and cleaned down, the lids of the loudspeakers are replaced to protect the drivers. There are no other loudspeakers, from any manufacturer, that can do this,” notes Mr. Cutone. “The Technomads are the ideal choice for outdoor cruise ship and amusement park high-powered audio installations.

“The loudspeakers were flown horizontally underneath the ‘pool mezzanine’ deck. Installation was quick and easy, and I was very impressed how easily the Technomads installed to their standard 20:1 D-Ring fly points,” notes TGA vice president, Greg Kirkland. Mr. Kirkland continues, “Since installing the Technomads aboard these two ships, we have had reports back from the ships’ technicians stating they have never had such clear, powerful and all-encompassing sound on the pool decks before. They are extremely happy with the Technomads. In the past, there have been many projects that required specially prepared, weatherized loudspeakers. We wished we had a line of loudspeakers like Technomad, just from the economy aspect of the job! Technomad is very high on our list for all future, outdoor audio applications.” Technomad loudspeakers are designed to be used in abusive, real-world situations – year-round, in-doors or out – without fear of water, sand, salt, temperature, mold, mildew, condensation, chemical, insect, UV light radiation, or other damage. Technomad offers the only off-the-shelf PA speaker system that meets Military-Specification 810E and is ATA III rated. Technomad loudspeakers are the ideal choice for amusement and water parks, aquariums, aquatic facilities, seaside resorts, casinos, city, state and federal parks, cruise ships, outdoor stadiums, arenas and theaters, sound hire companies, military uses, etc. All Technomad loudspeaker models are protected by the most comprehensive warranty in the industry: 10 year cabinet warranty, 5 year external cabinet hardware warranty and a 2 year electronic component warranty.

The Ultimate Extreme Sports Experience: Technomad @ Lake Placid’s Olympic Bobsled Run

The United States Olympic Bobsled Track at lake Placid, New York recently updated its sound system with Technomad loudspeakers.

SWM productions of Plattsburgh, New York specified and installed the 20 total loudspeakers used to cover the 1500 meter track located in one of the most harsh winter environments in America.

“The wind chill can reach 40-degrees below zero, not to mention the ice and snow,” said SWM President Tony LeClair. “We needed loudspeakers that provided sound worthy of an Olympic facility but that could also stand up to a uniquely harsh environment.”

LeClair installed two Technomad Noho C loudspeakers on the announcing booth located about halfway down the course. Loaded with a 1″/12″ coax driver, the mil-spec Noho C will be used for both music playing and voice reproduction. According to LeClair, the Noho has already exceeded expectations.

“We were testing the boxes by cranking some AC/DC for fun,” he explained. “There was a guy working in a Snow Cat at the bottom of the course who mistook the bass response for engine trouble. He turned off the machine before realizing he was hearing music coming from 1000-meters up the mountain. We were all amazed.”

Along with the Nohos, LeClair used 18 of the Technomad 70-voltVienna 16 Ts distributed along the lip of the track so as to minimize delay.

“We needed a distributed system that covered both the spectator area and the track area, “said LeClair. “They have people working on the track during races that need to be warned before a sled doing 100+ miles per hour comes flying at them.”

The loudspeakers are being driven by four QSC CV amplifiers at 400-Watts per side. They are running stereo on three different lines to every other speaker so that all of the loudspeakers can’t be lost in the event of a technical problem. A Berringer Dual Compressor31-band equalizer is also being used.

LeClair, using Technomads for the first time, had his technicians thoroughly examine the loudspeakers before installing them on the face of a frigid mountain.

“My reputation is attached to every installation we do,” said LeClair. “I have to let my guys examine the products I’m using for a given application – and boy was they impressed. We really can’t believe how well these loudspeakers are made. We will not hesitate to use them for future installations, both indoor and out.

SWM Productions, Inc. is a full service production company offering a wide variety of concert and event services ranging from consulting and planning to site coordination, stage management, and full-scale production for 10 years. In additions, SWM books and produces live entertainment throughout the greater upstate New York region.

The Technomad Noho C contains a coaxial 12″ low frequency driver and 1″ compression driver providing unparalleled musicality and voice intelligibility. The Vienna contains a horn-loaded 1″ high frequency driver and 6.5″ low frequency driver. Like all of the Technomad loudspeakers, the Noho and Vienna are fully weatherproof due to a three-layer stainless steel WeatherTech grill, military-specification rotationally molded cabinet and self-draining construction.

Boston-based Technomad users include all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, Universal Studios, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, The White House, Cunard Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Rodger Williams University, ESPN Zone, Tony Gwynn Stadium, Cinergy Field and many others.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines install Technomad WeatherTech™ Loudspeakers

Miami, Florida – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines install Technomad WeatherTech(tm) Loudspeakers.

Pro audio equipment is highly sensitive gear that is very susceptible to the ravages of hostile weather conditions. High fidelity loudspeaker systems have never been items that one would leave out in the rain, fog or humidity, let alone rain, fog or humidity that is very high in salt content.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, one of the leading cruise lines in the world, was recently operating with a revolving door policy when it came to their on-deck, mobile high fidelity loudspeakers. “R.C.C.L was getting about a year of use from our loudspeakers”, notes Mr. Craig Chamberlain, Senior Buyer for Casino and Cruise Programs. “The salt water, rain, sprays and wash downs took their toll on the wood, electronics and especially the speaker cones to the point the loudspeakers would need to be replaced frequently.” The expense of replacing many pairs of professional high powered loudspeakers per year was prohibitive.

The Caribbean weather can go from sunny with temperatures of 110 degrees to driving rain and temperatures of 60degrees, and then back again within fifteen minutes. The lifespan of professional audio equipment and loudspeaker systems in this type of environment is greatly reduced due to the extreme sun, heat, water, wind and salt conditions. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines had used several different brands of cloth covered, pressboard and plywood cabinet loudspeaker systems for their on-deck audio applications. Continues Mr. Chamberlain, “Even though R.C.C.L takes great pride in taking care of all of our equipment, the wood loudspeakers were not holding up to the environment.”

Mr. Chamberlain was told about Technomad WeatherTech(tm) loudspeakers by Brian Leeser of Miami Audio Video Company, of Miami, Florida. Imagine a high-powered, high fidelity loudspeaker system that could be operated outdoors, in the rain, fog, salt spray, humidity, blazing sun and intense heat. This intrigued Mr. Chamberlain.

Mr. Leeser informed Mr. Chamberlain that Technomad loudspeakers are impervious to salt water, sand, condensation, UV light, corrosion, insects, and other damage. A Technomad loudspeaker’s four layer, acoustically transparent grill system breaks up wind driven rain, sprayed water and liquids. Any water that does get onto the chemically treated drivers (speaker cones) is merely shed away. For very extreme weather conditions, Technomad WeatherTech(tm) loudspeakers also feature a watertight lid. With the lid attached, Technomad loudspeakers meet Military-Specification 810E, have an ATA III rating, are splinter-proof and resistant to impact, chemical cleaners and even fire. Like-size Technomad cabinets lock together when stacked, and interlocking ribs allow for secure transport and storage in rough seas.

Mr. Leeser learned out about Technomad at the 1995 INFOCOMM Expo in Dallas, Texas. Miami Audio Video Company (MAVCO) is recognized as one of the leading audio, video and multimedia design and installation firms in the world for the cruise ship industry. MAVCO, never a company to rest on its laurels and only sell the standard fare of “black cabinets” recognized the potential of the Technomad WeatherTech(tm) loudspeaker line. Always looking to make inroads into new markets with new products, Mr. Leeser suggested R.C.C.L. evaluate a pair of the Technomad WeatherTech(tm) full range Berlin model loudspeakers on a two week evaluation cruise. Mr. Leeser states, “When I received a check for the first pair of Technomad loudspeakers after only one week into the evaluation, I knew I was onto something special.”

Since acquiring the first pair of Technomad WeatherTech Berlin model loudspeakers for The Sovereign of the Seas, Technomads have been acquired for several other R.C.C.L. ships, including Song of America, Majesty of the Seas and Nordic Empress. Mr. Chamberlain notes, “Since changing to the Technomad WeatherTech(tm) Berlin model loudspeakers in September 1995, we have been very pleased with their durability.” The Technomads are primarily used poolside for the entire day by a Calypso band. In the evening the Technomads are used for parties and other functions, such as ‘Theme Night’ festivities. It is not unusual for the Technomads to be in use eight or more hours per day.

Ease of use and electronic reliability were other reasons to replace Royal Caribbean’s older loudspeakers with the Technomads. States Mr. Chamberlain, “Many members of the on-board entertainment staff, who will eventually handle the Technomad loudspeakers, are not audio professionals. In many cases an audio technician will set-up the entire PA system and walk away from it, leaving the audio system to be operated by the band.”

Technomad’s electronics are designed to withstand a significant amount of use. High quality, custom made crossover networks ensure superior audio performance and ultimate reliability. Technomad’s crossovers feature premium 400-volt metalized polypropylene Solen capacitors and unusually large inductors for low insertion-loss and DC-tolerant performance, and all internal wiring is 12-gauge multi-braided copper cable.

Aside from the rapidly changing weather conditions at sea, “Royal Caribbean needs to watch what we buy for many reasons. The extended warranty on the Technomad loudspeakers is another reason why we use the product,” notes Mr. Chamberlain referring to Technomad’s 10/5/2 year comprehensive warranty against manufacturers defects. The 10/5/2 warranty covers the Technomad loudspeaker cabinet for ten years, the external hardware for five years and all of the electronics for two years.

Mr. Chamberlain concludes, “We cannot be monitoring the audio equipment 100% of the time, so it’s good to know that we can walk away from the Technomads in 99% of our ‘at-sea’ situations and they will come through just fine.”

Technomad at Jillian’s

March 2, 2001 – Over ten years ago, Steven Foster, Jillian’s Founder and CEO, recognized the need for an adult and family driven destination that offers food, beverage, and socially interactive ice-breaking entertainment. – All in an exciting yet non-threatening environment. Since then, Jillian’s has developed into 35 individual clubs varying in size (15,000 and 75,000 square feet), and operating as a complete multidimensional “Eat! Drink! Play!” facility.

Each Jillian’s locations operate a variety of different entertainment and dining venues all under one roof. Most Jillian’s locations include 2 restaurants, a classic billiards lounge, an over-the-top bowling experience, the latest electronic simulation attractions, dancing, live music and the best sports and media viewing anywhere. Each Jillian location also features four nightclubs designed to entertain anyone of legal age.

Presently, Jillian’s has locations in Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Several new Jillian locations that recently came online made use of Technomad VERNAL loudspeakers for their background and foreground sound systems. Indianapolis, Indiana, Champaign Illinois, Hanover, Maryland and Houston Texas locations installed as many as 14 Technomad Vernal 15s per location.

The low-profile Technomad Vernal 15 full range loudspeaker features a smooth, cosmetically clean design that adds to its transparent sound quality. While the Technomad Vernal 15 is a weather-resistant loudspeaker, Jillian’s selected the Vernal for its ability to project over high ambient noise levels while still delivering a smooth, articulate, full-range musical response. The Vernal 15, possibly the smallest loudspeaker on the market that features a 1″ diameter ceramic high-frequency driver, mounted on a 120¡ X 120¡ horn, is designed to deliver high-fidelity, audiophile-quality performance in such ‘sonically intense’ applications. Also impressive is the detailed and articulate low-end from the Vernal 15’s purpose-built 5.5″ bass transducer, a component that took Technomad over two years to design and perfect. The 60 watt (120 watt peak), 8 Ohm Vernal 15 features a sensitivity rating of 91 dB SPL (800 Hz to 10 kHz, 1w/1m C.W.) and can deliver maximum, long-term SPL of 96 dB (100 dB peak), at a frequency response of 100 Hz -18 kHz.

The Vernal is also available in a dual-mode version which lets the user select 8-Ohm or 70-volt operation (featuring 10, 20, 40, and an unheard-of 60 Watt power taps!), using a convenient brass switch on the back of the cabinet. Jillian’s often used the 60-watt / 70-volt setting, which delivered high SPL, excellent fidelity and great bass response with the convenience of 70-volt wiring.”

The high ambient noise level of each Jillian’s makes it difficult for many, if not all, small profile loudspeakers to project over the din of the crowds. The design criteria called for articulate, full-range music that would not get lost in the noise floor, or be reduced to mid-range, transistor radio-like delivery during peak operating hours when the facilities are at maximum capacity.

The manager’s at the aforementioned Jillian locations were quick to point out, the full-range musical response of the Technomad Vernal 15s, even down into the lower frequencies, is detailed, complete, accurate and very smooth.

One manager stated, the output is very impressive. I cannot believe that much music comes out of such a small cabinet. It’s important to have quality music enhance the environment. When an underpowered loudspeaker has to compete with the noise of the environment, it becomes a distraction when it’s pushed to the point of sounding strident. That’s when people focus on the sound and the loudspeakers for all the wrong reasons.

With the Technomads, no one notices the loudspeakers. They just deliver the quality sound so the music is an integral part of the room and the experience. The music surrounds the patron and the loudspeakers are completely transparent. That’s way we want a sound system to perform and we’re happy to say, our systems perform perfectly.

Jillian’s is headquartered at 1387 S. Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40208.
Phone: 502.638.9008. Fax: 502.638.0984.

REFERENCE LINK

http://www.jillians.com/