Tag: PowerChiton

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 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

 

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 Delivers Outdoor Audio Solution for Tornado Recovery Project

Union University in Jackson, Tennessee is approaching the final stages of a widespread rebuilding project following a devastating storm that saw a tornado tear through the heart of campus.  The campus most recently opened the doors of its large new student commons building, in time for the Fall 2010 semester.

Technomad, a leader in advanced loudspeakers and audio systems since 1995, supplied the outdoor background music systems for two patio areas connected to the new Bowld Student Commons Building.  Here, students can gather to socialize and listen to music of their choosing.  Technomad PowerChiton amplifiers provide stereo inputs for iPods, mp3 players and CD players, with four Technomad Vernal weatherproof loudspeakers on each patio to playback high-quality audio with pristine musical reproduction.

The Bowld Student Commons Building was just one part of a lengthy rebuilding process.  The F-4 tornado struck the bulk of the residence complexes, academic halls and the previous student commons building, leaving $40 million in damages in its wake.

“It was as if a bomb had detonated in the middle of our campus,” said Josh Simmons, Media Support Specialist at Union University.  “No one was killed and classes resumed two weeks later in local churches and businesses, but the damage was very severe.  Housing for 1200 students in 17 residence halls was destroyed, and four academic buildings suffered extensive damage.

Two competing contractors worked around the clock to rebuild, with new residence halls and repaired academic buildings up and running six months later.  The new buildings have been built to Hurricane Strength standards and include “Safe Rooms” built to tornado shelter standards.

The new Student Commons Building was completed at the beginning of the Fall 2010 semester.  Technomad Vernal weatherproof loudspeakers are mounted in the open air rafters, providing high-quality background music to students as they lounge and socialize beneath natural gas grills and Pergolas.  The PowerChiton amplifiers juice the entire system.

“Technomad offered a comprehensive weatherproof audio system with great audio quality, which is exactly what we needed to withstand the outdoor environment,” said Simmons.  “Our staff desired to keep the operation of the patio systems simple.  We looked a lot of options, but ultimately, the PowerChiton amplifiers together with the Technomad Vernal speakers were the perfect choice.  Our system has turned out better than I could have ever expected.”

The indoor areas feature a wide variety of AV equipment in multiple rooms.  Simmons and his team installed four 37-inch LCD TVs in a video gaming room, along with four gaming consoles.  Five other TVs ranging from 37-to-47 inches are divided between a Billiards room, private viewing rooms equipped with BluRay players, and a common TV Lounge.  Two classrooms in the building have been equipped with Panasonic projectors, Document cameras and DVD playback systems, and Interwrite panels and computers.  A main gathering room has also been outfitted with a 6500 lumens Panasonic HD projector, a Yamaha mixer, Shure wireless microphones and a Tascam CD player and iPod dock.

Technomad’s PowerChiton range of compact, durable and weatherproof NEMA power amplifier modules unite a high-performance, passively-cooled amplifier with an IP66 rated, low-profile enclosure.  The powerful combination offers system designers and installers a flexible solution for the many challenges of distributed outdoor audio system design.  The PowerChiton also offers standard line in connections, or optional wireless, Ethernet Audio over IP, or analog twisted-pair/Cat5 modules to integrate into any infrastructure.

Technomad’s Vernal ultra-compact (9.1″ x 6.1″ x 6.1″), all-environment loudspeakers are ideal for fixed installations, distributed audio systems and compact sound reinforcement applications.

 

Union University Patio PowerChiton outdoor amplifier

Technomad to Exhibit at InfoComm

Technomad will exhibit at InfoComm 2010, showing a full range of new and existing products at Booth C6612. We invite dealers, integrators, design engineers and end users to stop in and see our latest innovations.

New to the show is the Technomad Oslo, the world’s most powerful weatherproof subwoofer. The Oslo was developed for the demanding requirements of themed entertainment both indoors and outdoors, giving integrators and design engineers a compact yet powerful subwoofer with plenty of low end that can be easily framed into sets and themed backgrounds.

Also notable is the expanding PowerChiton series of power amplifier modules. Technomad will showcase its current range of compact, NEMA-rated amplifiers and announce the availability of a new high-power version (1600w) for the summer. We also invite you to see the latest enhances to our Schedulon mp3 audio player and recording system, as well our full range of advanced weatherproof loudspeakers.