Brownsville, TN-based Tennessee Concert Sound, a design / build audio services firm that is also deeply entrenched in the live sound production business, was contracted to design and install the school’s new sound system. Stewart Tritt, the firm’s owner, and Jason Long, who handled both sales and system design, penned a sound reinforcement setup encompassing twenty-two D.A.S. Aero 8A powered, ultra-compact two-way line array modules, with low frequency support provided by four LX-218CRA self-powered high performance subwoofers. Jason Long discussed the project.
“The Sparks Chapel Fine Arts Center is a multipurpose facility that seats 980 people,” Long explained. “In addition to its use as a Fine Arts performance venue, school assemblies take place here and the space is also used as a worship facility. For this reason, it was very important to school officials that, in addition to providing excellent music reproduction capabilities, the system also had to be capable of very clear, highly intelligible speech delivery. After careful consideration, we elected to deploy a D.A.S. Audio setup that took advantage of the company’s experience in line array technology.”
Due to ceiling height restrictions and the client’s concern for room aesthetics, the primary system is comprised of six sets of flown loudspeaker clusters: left-center-right—each comprised of D.A.S. Audio’s Aero 8A enclosures. To ensure line-of-sight considerations were met, there are three clusters positioned above the front edge of the stage area with a second delay line (left-center-right) positioned behind the main catwalk. This arrangement was created to ensure minimum visibility of the loudspeakers from the audience perspective. Across the front of the stage, there are four recessed areas housing additional Aero 8A loudspeakers. These are used for front fill coverage.
For low frequency support, there are two hang points for the D.A.S. LX-218CRA subwoofers. These are positioned to the left and right of the center main hang, with each suspension point supporting two LX-218CRA enclosures. These sub bass enclosures are flown in a cardioid pattern. The entire setup is augmented by two D.A.S. Avant powered 12A, two-way cabinets that were flown for overhead stage monitoring purposes, along with four D.A.S. Road 12A two-way powered stage monitors. A DBX Driverack 4800 serves as the system controller while the house mixing console is a Digico SD10 with four D-racks connected via fiber optic cabling.
When queried about the new sound system’s key attributes, Long offered the following thoughts. “D.A.S. Audio consistently delivers superior sound quality along with excellent durability,” he said. “Being a Fine Arts center, it was considered critical that the system provide first class support for the Briarcrest One Voice a capella vocal ensemble, which demands every note be communicated clearly and evenly throughout the listening area. We’re confident this system meets our client’s expectations. We’ve also been very impressed with D.A.S. Audio’s track record for reliability and that, too, factored into our decision.”
Before turning his attention back to the business of the day, Long offered these parting comments, “Working in conjunction with Ryan Stone, the school’s Technical Director, we’ve created a sound reinforcement system that delivers exceptional audio performance and is capable of addressing a wide range of school activities. Our client has been very complimentary of the new system and the support we received from D.A.S. Audio’s Miami, FL-based staff has been second-to-none. Make no mistake, this is one very cutting edge sound system!”
To learn more about Briarcrest Christian School, go to www.briarcrest.com. For information about Tennessee Concert Sound, contact the company at 731-772-2292.
About D.A.S. Audio
Celebrating 40 years of innovation, Valencia, Spain-based D.A.S. Audio is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of loudspeaker systems, power amplification, signal processing, and related components. D.A.S. Audio products are found on tour with the world’s greatest performing artists and installed in many of the most prestigious facilities. For additional information about D.A.S. Audio, visit the company online at www.dasaudio.com.
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