Audio Associates, a full-service design, engineering, and installation company, was recently given a tight deadline to install a sports audio and PA system at Harvard University for a new soccer field. The company looked to Technomad to provide four weatherproof loudspeakers that could survive the outdoor elements, provide outstanding audio quality and be delivered to the site on short notice.
Tag: College
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.
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 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).
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 Loudspeakers Boost Blue Raiders Softball Audio
Technomad Noho advanced audio loudspeakers deliver big audio improvements and durability at a good price for Middle State Tennessee University and its Blue Raiders softball team.
Technomad Schedulon Sources Campus-Wide Audio for Penn State Schuylkill
The Technomad Schedulon provides a daily scheduled playout of chimes across the 70-acre campus of Penn State University Schuylkill, while also offering a manual option for triggering emergency announcements and other audio.