Oxford, MS – June 2008… Across America, springtime kicks off the busy season for live sound companies, and graduation ceremonies are frequently a significant part of this activity. Such is the case for Brownsville, TN-based Tennessee Concert Sound (TCS). Since 1999, TCS has handled live sound reinforcement for the University of Mississippi’s numerous commencement programs and, as usual, the company’s arsenal of D.A.S. Audio loudspeaker systems was placed into service for this year’s ceremonies.
Established in 1985 as a live sound production company that has since expanded into the permanent installation market, TCS is owned by Stewart Tritt. Other principals include Bernie Bernil, who serves as the firm’s resident sound designer and consultant, along with Andy Roark, the company’s lead audio engineer and crew chief.
According to Tritt, “The University of Mississippi’s commencement programs are a mammoth undertaking each year because of the multiple, concurrent ceremonies that take place in order to accommodate the University’s various colleges. There are thousands of students and their families on campus for the seven different venues where these programs occur. This year, TCS handled the four larger venues, while the university handled the remaining events. Our D.A.S. systems were deployed at the Tad Smith Coliseum for the School of Education commencement ceremony and Turner Center, where the School of Pharmacy had their program.�
This year’s commencement ceremonies occurred on Saturday, May 10th, while load-in, setup, and tuning of the systems occurred May 5-9. At the Tad Smith Coliseum, TCS deployed multiple D.A.S. Audio Aero CA-28A self-powered line array elements in conjunction with CA-215A monoamplified, arrayable subwoofers—with all systems ground stacked.
“For this event,� explained Tritt, “the left-right mains consisted of two Aero 28A’s with a single CA-215A sub placed on risers. We also had two additional stacks, each consisting of two Aero 28A’s and a single CA-215A subwoofer that were used for upstage right and left rear fills—providing coverage for the extreme sides of the audience. Onstage, we placed two D.A.S. SM-12A powered stage monitors and we also used a D.A.S. Audio Variant 25A self-powered line array module as a front fill down close to the stage.�
With roughly 4,000 people in attendance, the entire D.A.S. system was used in conjunction with the Coliseum’s scoreboard sound system. TCS staffers Julian Williamson mixed FOH while Morris Tritt served as technician.
At Turner Center, one of the University’s indoor sports facilities, TCS ran a second D.A.S. Audio system for the School of Pharmacy’s commencement service. With approximately 1,800 people in attendance, TCS deployed two vertically stacked columns, each consisting of two D.A.S. Audio Compact 2 biamplified, 3-way loudspeaker systems and a single Aero 218A self-powered subwoofer for the left and right mains. A D.A.S. Variant 25A line array module was assigned front fill chores while two D.A.S. DR-115A’s—a 2-way powered loudspeaker with a 15-inch low frequency transducer— were used as part of the delay rear zone systems positioned further back in the room.
For the Turner Center setup, TCS staffers Mike Frommel mixed FOH while Mark Caballero served as the technician. All systems were setup and tuned by Bernie Bernil with assistance from Andy Roark. Stewart Tritt and Bernie Bernil served as event supervisors. For both the Tad Smith Coliseum and the Turner Center locations, the sound reinforcement systems consisted of main and secondary podium microphones, CD playback systems, and a few supplemental microphones for the vocal and instrumental performers.
When queried about those aspects of the D.A.S. Audio loudspeaker systems that made them the right choice for the University of Mississippi’s commencement ceremonies, Tritt focused his response on sound quality and ease of use. “The fact that the majority of our D.A.S. loudspeaker systems are self-powered is a big plus,� notes Tritt. “This results in less weight to transport and easier setups since the amp modules are integrated right into the enclosures. I’ve also been very impressed with D.A.S. Audio’s sound quality and the long throw and wide dispersion characteristics of these systems. Combined with first-rate customer support and the fact that they are very competitively priced, I believe D.A.S. equipment offers excellent return on investment.�
With yet another season of commencements for the University of Mississippi under his belt, Tritt reports his client was, once again, very pleased. “We received numerous compliments from the University regarding the sound systems for this year’s commencement programs,� said Tritt, “and they’ve already extended our contract for another five years. In my book, that’s called success.�
For additional information about Tennessee Concert Sound, contact them at 731-772-2292.
About D.A.S. Audio
Headquartered in Valencia, Spain and having additional offices in Miami, FL, Frankfurt, Germany and Singapore, D.A.S. Audio is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of loudspeaker systems, power amplification, signal processing, and related components. For better than thirty years, D.A.S. Audio products have been found on tour with the world’s greatest performing artists and installed in many of the most prestigious facilities. For additional information about the company, visit them online at www.dasaudio.com.
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