Tag: outdoor audio

Technomad Loudspeakers Installed at Club Med, Cancun

Club Med Cancun Goes High Tech w/Technomad Loudspeakers

Hurricane Wilma tore through the Gulf of Mexico in early fall, 2005, settling on top of the Yucatan Peninsula and barely moving for 48 hours. After making its exit, some of Mexico’s most famous resort areas, including the city of Cancun, were left battered and faced with a long period of rebuilding.

Club Med Cancun, with its shoreline location, was just one of many resorts that sustained heavy damage from winds, rain and an unrelenting storm surge. The club took the opportunity to rebuild its lighting and sound infrastructure along with much of its resort, favoring high-fidelity audio products and a lighting system that was easy to operate yet technically advanced enough to produce the right atmosphere in each room.

The Core Audio team, in cooperation with Whump Sound, a Los Angeles based dealer specializing in audio installations, led the systems integration. Technomad loudspeakers were selected for all open-air venues, partially due to the true weatherproof design of the loudspeakers. These venues include a mix of restaurants, bars and entertainment areas plus the valet greeting area in front of the resort.

According to Bill Weir of Core Audio, Many resorts of this size put budget over any other consideration when choosing equipment and the audio reproduction at the end point is anything but musical. Club Med Cancun uses a 24-bit distribution system that plays back high resolution audio files, and that fidelity is well represented in each zone due to the choice of loudspeakers … the range of products that can withstand the Cancun environment is very limited, and Technomad meets both the musical and environmental requirements.

The outdoor entertainment area, known as The Chispa, offers a movie theater and a performance area with an exceptional A/V and lighting system. The central kiosk area is peppered with palm trees that are lit using Color Kinetics color blasts. The LED fixtures for each palm tree are automated using a Martin Light Jockey control system, with 220 volt power lines providing juice to each palm tree. Like the Soluna, the lighting for this zone is customized to match the event, and can be manually operated on theme nights using a small 8-button switcher. Martin 250 Kryptons and Washes were also installed in the theater area.

The Chispa movie theater is perhaps the most unique aspect of the resort, and according to Weir, a one-of-its-kind system. The integration team painted one side of a three-story hotel building on the resort with retro-reflective, high-gain paint. Guests can sit on the beach or on bench seating in the pool area to watch movies projected onto the building.
DJs and performance groups can also take advantage of this outdoor entertainment area. A pair of Technomad Berlin loudspeakers was purchased for mobile events, and plug in to rack systems on the performance stage.

The remaining room-to-room breakdown of Technomad loudspeakers include: The Pergola, a beach bar that features four Noho-C Install loudspeakers hung 9 feet above the crowd and two Chicago 15/H Install subwoofers at two corners along the baseboards; eight Vernals 15’s in The Chispa and Las Velas, the pool bar; and Noho-C Install and Vernal 15 loudspeakers in the valet area, which play back low volume music as guests enter the resort. Crown DSI series amplifiers are used to power the audio in each of these zones, offering full parametric EQ, crossover functions and basic signal processing.

The Berlins were specifically chosen for mobile events because they are high quality, full range portable loudspeakers that can be used anywhere on the resort at a moment’s notice, said Weir. They offer a full range of sound with excellent bass response and a very nice tonal quality that is ideal for DJ sets. In the Pergola, the Nohos produce enough sound pressure levels at 1 a.m. so that people who want it loud can turn up the volume, but still produce a full, pleasing sound at lower volumes. This was the same idea we had for the Vernal 15 installation in the pollapa, with a higher emphasis on producing clearly audible sound at low levels for conversational situations.

Note: This article was originally published in a longer format in the October, 2007 printed and online editions of Lighting & Sound America.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Team Installs Technomad Turnkey PA System at University of Louisville

Donated system plays role in Hughes family storyline for two-hour special in February

BOSTON, December 3, 2007 Technomad Associates, LLC, a leader in weatherproof outdoor loudspeakers and PA systems, today announced that the ABC-TV Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team has completed installation of a Technomad Turnkey PA System at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

Technomad donated the system, featuring two weatherproof outdoor loudspeakers and a complete PA rack to power the loudspeakers, to the popular ABC series last week for a two-hour special scheduled to air in February 2008.

On November 7, Patricia and Patrick John Hughes family of Louisville, Kentucky, received word that Ty Pennington and the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team would renovate their home into a safer and more accessible home for their blind and disabled son, Patrick Henry, age 19. The storyline also includes the renovation of a practice field at University of Louisville, where Patrick Henry marches in the University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Band, maneuvering his wheelchair through the formations with assistance from his father.

On November 13, the renovated field was revealed to the Hughes family. A limousine transporting the family drove onto the field, which was surrounded by hundreds of University of Louisville students and local spectators. The University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Band with band director were present on the field as the limo arrived.

Technomad delivered the system for installation by Super Home Systems of Louisville in the week following the Hughes family receiving the news. According to Phil Deddens, President of Super Home Systems, the system was easily set up in one day, requiring only simple cable runs and electrical connections. The University of Louisville’s practice field is the size and shape of a football field. Deddens and his team installed the two Technomad Noho C loudspeakers on a new light pole at the 50 yard line, each at opposite 45 degree angles to optimize audio coverage on the field.

The Technomad loudspeakers cover the field very well, and the complete PA system is an enormous improvement over the handheld megaphone that the band director had previously relied on, said Deddens. The show director was using the system to stage the band and the spectators prior to the reveal to the Hughes family, and the audio came through loud and clear.

The Technomad Noho C loudspeakers are installed nearby the tower where the band director gives his commands, allowing his voice to project out onto the practice field and reach the 220+ members as they are playing and practicing their formations. The PA rack, featuring an amplifier and six-channel mixer, is housed in this tower, close enough to allow a 20-foot microphone cable to easily reach the mixer input. The Turnkey PA system includes a microphone for the band director, loudspeaker brackets, and cables to connect all the components.

Patrick Henry and the entire University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Band will benefit from the overall rebuild and retrofit of the practice field, said Diane Korman, Senior Producer for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Prior to this renovation, the band did not have a suitable place to practice their formations. While the home renovation is certainly the most important aspect, the practice field renovation with the Technomad donation is an essential chapter in a very uplifting story.

In addition to the PA system installation, the field renovations included six new 50-foot light poles, two storage buildings, a covered pavilion for viewing band practices, and a new archway at the entrance that includes the words Inspired by Patrick Henry Hughes. Super Home Systems was also involved in the home renovations, including a new stereo system, surround sound, phone and TV wiring, and security system installation.

About ABC-TVs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

Technomad Loudspeakers Achieve IP56 Performance Rating

Technomad Loudspeakers Achieve Full Range IP56 Performance Rating from IEC for Protection against Hazardous Elements

BOSTON, November 28, 2007 – Technomad Associates, LLC, a leader in weatherproof outdoor loudspeakers and Turnkey PA systems, today announced that its complete line of loudspeakers and subwoofers are compliant with the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) IP56 rating under its IP Code. IP56 is a stringent standard for superior protection against hazardous parts and water ingression, and is an extremely rare rating for full-range outdoor loudspeakers. IEC provides international standards and conformity assessments for government, business and society for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

The IP Code defined in IEC’s international standard 60529 classifies the level of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects, dust, water and accidental contact. All Technomad products ranging from its 60-watt Vernal 15 loudspeaker to the 800-watt Chicago 15/12 subwoofer have an IP56 rating, reflecting the company’s philosophy for manufacturing rugged, reliable outdoor loudspeakers that also offer exceptional audio quality with clear voice intelligibility and outstanding musical output.

Following IP for International Protection or Ingress Protection rating, the first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts and the ingress of solid foreign objects. The second digit indicates equipment protection levels inside the enclosure against harmful water ingression. Officially, a 5rating for the first digit means that dust ingression will not interfere with the operation of the equipment and offers complete protection against contact; a 6 rating for the second digital means that water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction results in no harmful effects.

Technomad loudspeakers are installed around the world in cruise ships, theme parks, sports stadiums, outdoor entertainment venues, and other harsh environment fixed system and mobile applications in military, government and private sectors. Many of these installations are reliant on Technomad’s IP56 rating due to constant exposure to dust, water and other harsh elements in booth indoor and outdoor environments. Recent examples include:

Tyco Fire & Building Products: Technomad Vernal 15 loudspeakers are consistently exposed to water and high humidity inside the new training and test facility in Cranston, Rhode Island. Six loudspeakers are installed on the perimeter of a concrete block spray distribution area featuring various sprinkler systems, hydraulics and spray patterns.

Club Med Cancun: Technomad loudspeakers are exposed year-round to sand, sea salt and rain outside on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

National Training Center at Ft. Irwin: Technomad Military PA systems sit outside in the California desert all year, broadcasting Sunni and Shiite prayers in makeshift Iraqi villages as they are continually exposed to wind-blown sand and dust.

Technomad loudspeakers feature true integrated weatherproofing as opposed to weatherized or weather-resistant loudspeakers that compromise acoustic performance and have a short shelf life in unprotected outdoor installations, said David Meyer, Commercial Sales Manager for Technomad. We are pleased to announce that our products meet the superior IP56 rating from IEC, a highly respected international electrical standards organization.

Technomad Joins Forces with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to Assist Family in Need

Company provides outdoor PA system for football stadium renovation

BOSTON, November 7, 2007 – Technomad Associates, LLC, a leader in weatherproof outdoor loudspeakers and PA systems, today announced that it has donated a Turnkey PA system to ABCs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for a show scheduled to air in February 2008. The Technomad system, featuring two weatherproof loudspeakers and a complete PA rack system to power the loudspeakers, is an integral part of a football stadium renovation that comprises a portion of the storyline for the two-hour special.

On November 7, the Hughes family of Louisville, Kentucky, received the thrilling news that Ty Pennington and the gang of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will renovate their house into a safer and more accessible home for their blind and disabled son, Patrick Henry, age 19. The eldest son of Patricia and Patrick John Hughes, Patrick Henry was born blind and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, leaving him unable to walk. Patrick John’s decision to remain home and take care of Patrick Henry’s needs has left the family with an enormous hole in their bank account and house repairs their last priority.

Patrick Henry has overcome numerous obstacles on his way to becoming an exceptional pianist, trumpet player, and vocalist. Patrick also marches in the University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Band, tirelessly maneuvering his wheelchair through the formations with the other 220+ members with help from his father.

The Technomad donation will be installed by members of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team at the University of Louisville, vastly improving audio quality at the practice stadium where Patrick marches with the band.

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team is very excited to bring Technomad on board for this renovation, said Diane Korman, Senior Producer for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. With only one week to make a difference and finalize both the home and football stadium renovations, we have been able to rely on Technomad to deliver the right kind of outdoor PA system on time and communicate with our installation team for technical support.

We are thrilled to work with the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team to assist the Hughes family in their time of need, said David Meyer, Commercial Sales Manager for Technomad. Patrick Henry’s story is truly an inspiration, and the opportunity to contribute to this unique renovation is an honor.

ABOUT ABC-TVs EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION

Technomad Outdoor Loudspeakers Deliver High-Quality Audio at Mount Si High School

BOSTON – Technomad Associates, LLC today announced that Mount Si High School, part of the Snoqualmie Valley School District in Snoqualmie, Washington, has installed two Technomad Noho C weatherproof outdoor loudspeakers for its Soccer and Track Field to provide voice and audio playback for all events. The Noho C loudspeakers replace less reliable loudspeakers that struggled to fill the track and field area with intelligible audio. They also offer a true weatherproof loudspeaker solution for a region in the west foothills of the Cascade Mountains noted for its heavy annual rainfall.

Electrocom of Washington recommends and installs Technomad Noho C weatherproof loudspeakers for Soccer and Track Field in rainy environment

Our track and field events are spread all over the field, and people had trouble hearing the live audio from our older loudspeakers depending on the location of the event, said Carl Larson, Director of Operations, and Snoqualmie Valley School District. The Technomad loudspeakers are a major improvement and direct the audio to all areas of the field to provide complete coverage. Also, we receive 80 to 90 inches of rain each year, and these loudspeakers are still pumping.

Electrocom of Lynwood, Washington handled the installation and recommended the Technomad Noho C as a reliable loudspeaker that would produce the audio levels and field coverage the school required. The loudspeakers are mounted on two light poles directly behind the visitor’s bleachers of the school’s football field. A two-channel 550-watt amplifier powers the Technomad loudspeakers from the home press box on the opposite side of the football stadium, using thick, protected cabling to drive the 8-Ohm signal from a long distance. A line for a single microphone is run through the same protective conduit to the Soccer and Track Field, where volunteers broadcast live coverage of the events over the Technomad Noho C loudspeakers.

The Technomad Noho C loudspeakers by far outperform the non-Technomad loudspeakers that the acoustical consultant recommended for the football field. Those loudspeakers simply cannot reproduce the high volume required to fill the stadium and compete with crowd noise, said Jerry Hegstad, Education Market Manager, Electrocom. We immediately recommended Technomad when the customer asked us to improve the loudspeakers on the Soccer and Track Field. They sound far better and have a much broader audio dispersion so everyone can clearly hear the live broadcast regardless of location. They also work great for exterior installations, an important element when designing and installing outdoor audio systems.

Technomad loudspeakers are available separately or as part of complete Turnkey PA Systems which feature an audio mixer, power amplifier, speaker cables, speaker mounting brackets, a dynamic microphone with cable, and a rack enclosure.

ABOUT ELECTROCOM

Electrocom is a leader in innovative sound reinforcement and intercommunications design and installation. Responsible for the majority of school and health care facility intercom/clock sales and installations in Western Washington, Electrocom offers a no obligation sound reinforcement evaluation to school districts throughout Western Washington. Their evaluation includes sound reinforcement design for a school gym, band and music rooms, sport stadium, commons, or classrooms. Electrocom, established in 1946, is an exclusive dealer for companies such as Technomad, Rauland-Borg, and Yamaha.