Tag: Stadium Audio

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 Schedulon Feeds Audio to Cowboys Stadium Perimeter

Schedulon delivers event information to fans as they enter the stadium based on user-defined, automatic playout schedules

BOSTON, September 7, 2011 – The game of football is all about timing. From running a slant pattern on offense, breaking up the pass on defense, or booting the extra point through the uprights, precise execution is essential to success.

The Schedulon informs fans of event details as they enter the stadium

The Technomad Schedulon audio playback and recording system is all about precision, giving facility operators, PA engineers and other users the freedom of scheduling automatic playback of audio files down to the second, while maintaining a high level of manual control. The Schedulon is also a reliable message repeater, playing back audio messages on a schedule created by the operator.

The Dallas Cowboys, with one of the more storied histories in the National Football League, opened its approximately 80,000-seat stadium (expandable to 100,000 seats) in 2009. The stadium has since hosted major events including Super Bowl XLV in February and the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. The facility operations staff uses the Schedulon to welcome home-fans and visitors to the stadium.

The Schedulon connects to the perimeter loudspeaker system outside the stadium, providing information and directions for Cowboys games and other live events. With ten entrances to the stadium, the Schedulon plays out event details as fans enter the Pro Shop entrance at the northwest gate, and Club and Suite guests at the northwest, southwest and other entrances. The Schedulon also welcomes and informs reserved ticket holders at six other entry points. Operators can schedule audio events for automatic playback at specific times on specific days to coincide with games and events.

Technomad recently began shipping Schedulon v3.0, delivering down-to-the-second scheduling and a 200-percent increase in data transfer speeds to vastly improve file upload times. An updated, more intuitive user interface enhances schedule building and creation as well as remote content management. New user-protection and operator-access features provide multiple password levels for administrators and general system operators.

The Schedulon includes an internal power backup option that provides up to 20 minutes of battery-powered operation. The battery keeps scheduled playback events on target for approximately 75 minutes. The Schedulon immediately ‘wakes up’ at the current time to resume playback of all scheduled content after battery power expires and the unit is restarted.

The Schedulon functions as the audio source for a single PA system (in the same way a CD player or iPod can), or to feed audio to large scale paging/background music systems. Scheduling can be as straightforward or complex as desired, down to the exact time of day. All recording, uploading and scheduling tasks can be achieved without the need for a computer or web browser to minimize the risk of crashes and viruses.

Photos credited to Ralph Cole Photography/Courtesy DCFC.

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.