Tag: high school

Technomad and Onyx AudioVisual Upgrade Woodberry Forest School Sound Systems

Integrator chooses all-in-one Technomad Turnkey PA System to reproduce high-quality voice and music indoors at Virginia school

BOSTON, APRIL 2, 2012 —  Woodberry Forest School, situated on the banks of the Rapidan River near Charlottesville, Virginia, is an historic boy’s prep school situated on 1200 acres of land that once belonged to General William Madison, the brother of President James Madison.  Using Technomad advanced audio solutions, the school has upgraded sound systems in two athletic facilities in alignment with campus-wide building preservation efforts.

Onyx AudioVisual selected Technomad for the campus installation due to sound quality and rugged design, capable of dealing with the heat and moisture associated with indoor pool environments

Onyx AudioVisual, a Virginia-based IT consulting company with expertise in audio/video, network infrastructure and lighting, designed and integrated the new sound systems.  The company chose a Technomad Turnkey PA System to bring multiple loudspeakers and all required signal processing systems together into a single, integrated solution.

The complete system, deployed in a 70-volt configuration to accommodate lengthy cable runs across four zones, reproduces intelligible voice and high-quality music over long distances for athletic meets, games and other activities in both areas.  The installations include 11 Technomad Vernal loudspeakers in the pool area and 10 in the Reily Wrestling Room, delivering high-fidelity sound and broad audio dispersion from a compact form factor.

Onyx AudioVisual also chose Technomad for its rugged, weatherproof loudspeaker designs.  The project required environmentally tough loudspeakers that could withstand the humidity and moisture associated with indoor pool environments.

Bart Cardea, sales director for Onyx AudioVisual, said his team balanced perfect audio detail inside the pool area and the wrestling room to achieve pristine athletic event sound.   The upgrades substantially improve sound quality around the galleries, bleachers, pool and mats to help spectators follow the action during events.

“The sound needed to be excellent quality for sports writers, fans and athletes,” said Cardea.  “We needed to preserve the historic integrity of the areas, while delivering state-of-the-art sound technology.  We chose Technomad because of their reputation for superior sound, easy setup and environmental durability.  They exceeded our specifications for sound while meeting the environmental challenges we faced.”

Cardea added that the Technomad Turnkey PA System design established a new central audio headend from which all cable runs originate.  Technomad Turnkey PA Systems include a pre-wired amplifier, six-channel mixer, cables, connectors and open rack space for audio source equipment — all delivered in a compact, durable equipment rack.

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 Electrocom Revitalize Stadium Audio at Historic Tacoma High Schools

BOSTON, January 5, 2012 — Two illustrious high school stadiums in the Tacoma Public Schools system enjoyed vastly improved sound for the 2011 football season, thanks to comprehensive distributed audio system upgrades at both locations.

Historic Stadium High School in Tacoma

Lynwood, Washington-based systems integration firm Electrocom managed the upgrades, installing Technomad advanced audio loudspeakers and high-powered amplifiers among other components at Stadium High School and Lincoln High School.  Electrocom handpicked the systems to replace aging horn components that were in disrepair and bleeding into adjacent neighborhoods — prompting a flurry of complaints.

The stadiums’ long, rich histories are evident in their grandeur:  large, bowl-shaped venue designs with concrete bleachers and expansive sideline space.  This made sound improvements — especially even, venue-wide coverage — unusually challenging.

“These are not typical press box installations where we mount and blast away,” said Matt Wright, project manager at Electrocom.  “We positioned narrow-dispersion loudspeakers at multiple points, with enough SPL, or sound pressure, to cover the distance of the field in some cases.  We also needed a wireless amplifier solution at each stadium to remain under budget.  It would have been expensive and complicated to run wires the length of the field and trench into the concrete.”

Technomad PowerChiton4 high-power amplifiers provide the wireless solution for pole-mounted loudspeakers on the visitor sidelines at each stadium.  The IP66-rated amplifiers offer a waterproof design for outdoor audio, and a compact, modular form factor for greater proximity to loudspeakers.  The 1600-watt amplifiers also pack plenty of power for loud stadium environments.

Wright adds that Technomad loudspeakers provide exceptional audio quality and are among the best at containing audio within the confines of a stadium or similar venue.  “The end users are very happy with the audio quality,” he said.  “The Technomad systems have improved intelligibility and increased audio isolation from the neighbors at both stadiums.”

Electrocom installed Berlin 9040 and 6040 narrow-dispersion loudspeakers at both stadiums.   All Stadium High School loudspeakers mount to four large steel light poles — two above and behind the home side bleachers, and two above and behind the visitor side.  Each home side pole supports two Berlin 9040 loudspeakers aimed toward the front row at a steep angle to cover the audience.  One Berlin 6040 aims outward to cover the field.

One visitor-side pole supports two Berlin 9040 loudspeakers powered by a Technomad PowerChiton4 amplifier and RF solution to cover one end of the bleachers.  A second pole supports two Berlin 9040 loudspeakers and a PowerChiton4 for the near bleachers; and a single Berlin 6040 with a dedicated PowerChiton4 amplifier to cover an extension of the bleacher away from the cluster.  Allen PoleStar mounting hardware supports all loudspeakers.

A mix of Berlin 6040 and 9040 loudspeakers cover the Lincoln High School field from three locations behind the home bleachers, including the end zones for audio during track and field events.  Berlin 6040s and PowerChiton4 amplifiers cover the visitor side from the front corners of the bleachers.

“These are among the largest stadiums we’ve done and there were plenty of challenges,” said Wright.  “Technomad loudspeakers provide high-quality audio, high-frequency intelligibility and strong SPL along with a weatherproof design.  And the PowerChiton amplifiers provided a way to get audio to difficult places without being cost-prohibitive.”

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.

Historic Stadium High School in Tacoma

Technomad PA Systems Deliver Professional Audio for Gymnasiums

Technomad’s leadership in audio quality, coverage and rugged durability is well-known in the sound contracting community – especially in harsh environments for stadium and other outdoor installations.

The same traits that make Technomad a leading choice for outdoor systems are ideal for indoor systems that require clear speech and/or pristine musical reproduction over short and long distances.  One such example is the gymnasium, where Technomad loudspeakers and Turnkey PA systems are regularly installed for high school and intramural sports such as basketball, as well as presentations and musical events.

Alan DeMartino, sales engineer at Syracuse Time & Alarm Co., Inc. in Syracuse, NY., is putting the final touches on an indoor Technomad system for South Lewis CSD Middle School in Turin, NY.  The system features four Noho loudspeakers for a gymnasium that is part of a school-wide renovation project, and will be replicated in a second gymnasium.

Alex DeMartino at Syracuse Time & Alarm hangs Nohos in the South Lewis middle school gym

“I introduced Technomad to the engineer who specified the systems for the project, and suggested the Noho would be a very good loudspeakers for a gym installation because of the sound quality, wide dispersion pattern and construction,” said DeMartino.  “He has been using them ever since.  I have always found that the ease of installation provides a variety of simple mounting options, and I am still impressed with Technomad loudspeakers I installed nine years ago.”

Technomad offers a variety of loudspeakers for purchase separately or as part of a Technomad Turnkey PA system for stadiums, gymnasiums, restaurants, retail businesses and mobile projects among other applications.  Turnkey PA systems include a 6RU shock-mount rack, a pre-wired amplifier with audio source inputs (iPods, mp3 and CD players), a six-channel mixer, a dynamic wired microphone, cables and connectors.  Options include a wireless microphone and the Schedulon mp3 player and recording system to inject audio files and snippets into live events on a scheduled or manual basis.

Technomad Turnkey PA System Powers Texas High School Sports Audio

I recommend Technomad loudspeakers to anyone needing to upgrade their stadium sound with a great weatherproof system. – Bear Bryant

Technomad recently supplied a Turnkey PA System featuring two Noho C loudspeakers to San Marcos Academy in Texas to replace an aging horn system inside its football stadium.  The school also purchased two Nohos for the baseball field on campus.  The school plans to share the Turnkey PA System amplifier for both installations.

We received this note today from Mr. Bear Bryant, the Technology Director at San Marcos Academy in Texas:

“I would like to tell you how pleased I am with our new Technomad stadium sound system.  I recently purchased and installed the IPA2 turnkey system which included two Noho C speakers on the press box of our football stadium.  I am attaching some photos of our football install.

sanmarcos_pa148978a

I researched outdoor speakers and decided the Technomad line was worth exploring.  I checked into your existing customer base and saw many applications that matched our needs.  I was particularly impressed with the weather durability of the Noho loudspeakers.  The Texas weather around here creates a wide range of conditions, from very humid to hot and dry.  I needed something that could stand up to this fluctuation.

The sound quality of our old horn system was very poor and almost to the point where we were embarrassed by the unintelligibility of the announcer.  I have been lugging some Yamaha speakers up on top of the press box for game night in order to provide decent sound quality.  That worked fine unless we had inclement weather, and of course I tired of hauling the equipment around.

I am impressed with the wide 120-degree horizontal coverage pattern of the Noho loudspeakers.  With just two loudspeakers I am able to cover 180 degrees along the home field side, and with the overlap can project across the field to the visitors side.

While the primary use is for play-by-play announcements, we also use it for pre-game music and halftime entertainment.  Our regular announcer has a fantastic “radio voice,” and with the Technomad system his baritone gets the crowd excited and into the game.   The 1000 watts of the P-1 amplifier provides plenty of power to get everyone’s attention when we score and I play the “Bear Growl!”

I also purchased two additional Noho loudspeakers to be permanently mounted at our baseball field.  At the end of the season I will simply move the amp case to the baseball press box and plug it in.  We will enjoy great sound there as well.

Since installing this system I have had many compliments on how good it sounds from fans as well as from administration.  I recommend Technomad loudspeakers to anyone needing to upgrade their stadium sound with a great weatherproof system.”

In addition to the amplifier and weatherproof loudspeakers, Technomad Turnkey PA Systems also feature a six-channel mixer, a dynamic wired microphone, cables, connectors and a signal processing rack with additional rack space.