22 Jun, 2017 | Attero Tech
Played by more then 605 million adults and countless children, chess has long been one of the world’s most popular pastimes. Since 2008, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis has led the way for U.S. chess education and competition, including hosting the prestigious annual U.S. Championship, U.S. Women’s Championship, and U.S Junior Closed Championship, as well as housing the World Chess Hall of Fame. Along with chess classes, summer camps, and field trips, the center offers a variety of community events, including a family day, film night, and monthly music series.
Designing an advanced audio system for the Chess Club might not be as daunting as playing chess with a grandmaster but it was challenging nonetheless. “This is a group of very creative people, and they’re constantly coming up with new presentations, displays, and other projects,” praises Cignal Systems vice president Brian Rice, who headed up a design team that also included Project Manager Doug Hill and control systems manager Mark Olsen. “We had to step up our creativity to give them an audio system that matched the flexibility and creativity they demonstrate all the time. Using a Dante network connected with Attero Tech unD6IO 4-in, 2-out Dante wall plate interfaces, we were able to provide sophisticated audio distribution throughout the three floors of the facility and make it easy to use.”
Attero Tech’s role in the project went beyond supplying unD6IO interfaces. “Early in the project, we discussed with Attero Tech what we were trying to do,” confirms Rice. “They corrected some of our assumptions and pointed us in a more appropriate direction for best using their technology. And because they keep pushing their technology forward, the interfaces we ended up installing had a lot more inputs and outputs than we had originally specified. With their help, we brought a lot more value to the customer, and we were able to achieve greater results within the implementation of the design. We appreciated that.”
The Chess Club features three galleries and an assortment of classrooms and other spaces on the first two floors and a performance space on the third floor. Also on the ground floor are an outdoor patio and the Q Boutique, hailed by the local media as one of St. Louis’ best gift shops. The club wanted to be able to send audio from any source, including the performance space, to any speakers in the network, including in the gift shop and patio.
Rice’s team specified a distributed, IP-based sound system based on SoundTube IPD Dante-enabled IP speakers and a Symetrix Prism 8×8 DSP, with a unD6IO interface in each space. “Attero Tech unD6IO interfaces offered the best way to get inputs and outputs into each of the front galleries through our Dante network,” Rice reports. “We route the Attero Tech unD6IOs to a switch, which is connected to a Symetrix Prism DSP that manages our analog wireless systems and playback devices throughout the facility. From the DSP, digital audio goes into the Dante backbone, where it is routed and distributed. The IP speakers have onboard processing so we can adjust them to the acoustic environment. The DSP mostly manages the Dante network and provides some auto-mixing.”
The third-floor performance space also uses a distributed speaker system but with the addition of subwoofers. “It’s not a big room but they wanted a bit more intelligibility and a bit more lift,” Rice recalls. “The musical performances are acoustic, so they don’t need a lot of volume. When they do want big, booming bass-they have some rap battles, hip-hop, and other contemporary audio in their chess videos-they can hook up a subwoofer. We’ve done sophisticated programming with our control systems that crosses over the distributed system, rolls off the low end, and channels that to the subs when needed.”
All sources can be routed to any combination of speakers throughout the network. “If they have a multi-level showing, and someone comes in to speak about a particular chess set or exhibition, they can put a wireless body pack or handheld on the lecturer,” Rice details. “As the person moves from floor to floor, that audio can be piped to any or all floors. There’s no awkward microphone changeover; audio just flows from one space to the next.”
The monthly musical performances became so popular that the club wanted to pipe the music out to the patio in front of the museum. “The Chess Club is part of the cultural atmosphere of the Central West End,” offers Rice. “Immediately adjacent to the patio is a Starbucks coffee house, and people buy coffee and then sit on the patio and enjoy their drink while listening to the performance. The club also can channel the music to the first and second floor galleries.”
Attero Tech interfaces proved so useful that the Chess Club requested more of them. “We used at least six unD6IO interfaces to begin with,” Rice states. “When the customer saw the system’s potential, they had us add a couple more Attero Tech interfaces to expand their inputs and outputs. They’re pleased and excited about their new audio system-and so are we.”
Please contact us for more information on Attero Tech products.
22 Jun, 2017 | Attero Tech
Attero Tech will be debuting five new AES67 endpoints, as well as a 32 input Dante/AES67 1RU audio interface at InfoComm 2017 in Orlando.
The new AES67 endpoints include these 2-gang wall plate products:
unAX4I – 4 XLR inputs + 2 balanced outputs
unAX2IO+ – 2 XLR inputs, 2 XLR outputs + 2 separate balanced inputs
unA6IO – 2 XLR inputs, 2 RCA inputs, 3.5mm stereo input, 3.5mm stereo output + 2 balanced outputs
unA6IO-BT – Stereo Bluetooth audio input, 2 RCA inputs, 3.5mm stereo input, and a 3.5mm stereo output
The new flange-mount AES67 interface is the unAIO2x2+, which features 2 balanced mic/line inputs and 2 balanced line outputs.
The Synapse D32i allows up to 32 consumer or pro level line inputs to be introduced onto a Dante or AES67 network. The D32i includes primary and secondary RJ-45 ports as well as primary and secondary SFP fiber ports to make long distance connections simple. Options for 3-pin depluggable or DB-25 balanced audio connectors means the D32i will be at home in almost any venue.
QSC Q-SYS plugins for several Attero Tech Dante and AES67 endpoints will also be shown, along with the new Version 2.3 of Attero Tech’s unIFY software.
We look forward to seeing you at InfoComm and showing you the great solutions we have to make make your projects easier and more cost effective.
Please contact us for more information on Attero Tech products.
6 Jun, 2017 | ETC
ETC has announced the addition of the DALI Gateway – that accepts DMX input and outputs DALI protocol – into the company’s line of Response products. The DIN-rail-mountable Response DALI Gateway delivers a single loop of DALI control for up to 64 devices and 16 groups.
ETC Networking and Architectural Controls Product Manager Lowell Olcott explains: “This product allows for the control of DALI devices to be added to all of ETC’s lighting systems, making the product a great option for retrofits and new installations alike.” Users have complete control over their entire system with a patchable output map, allowing for the assignment of individual DMX addresses to each DALI device.
The Gateway supports auto-replace, allowing failed DALI devices to be replaced without the need for configuration tools. The DALI Gateway uses special calculations for individual, group, or broadcast DALI commands, to optimise fade performance and ensure dimming quality.
For more info about the ETC DALI Gateway, please visit www.bit.ly/erdalig.
Please contact us or your nearest ETC Dealer for more information.
6 Jun, 2017 | ETC
Because everyone should have access to great LED
ETC is an industry leader in entertainment lighting and controls and with their ColorSource range of fixtures and consoles going LED is now even easier than it has ever been.
As the distributor of ETC in South Africa ApexPro is offering a special deal on a ColorSource starter pack that is designed to get any user up and running with quality LED. For users with small theatre spaces, school auditoriums, promo stages or houses of worship, the starter pack offers an excellent opportunity to either upgrade your existing rig or start fresh. And with ETC’s excellent quality assurance and technical support network, you can rest assured that you won’t ever be left in the dark.
The starter pack includes:
- 1x ColorSource 20 Console
- 2x ColorSource Spots with 26° lens tubes
- 4x ColorSource PARs with medium round lenses
- Associated DMX and Power cabling
Specially designed to work with LED fixtures and with up to 40 control channels and 1 universe of DMX 512 the ColorSource 20 is the perfect console for small LED rigs. It makes both programming and operation a simple and enjoyable experience for everyone from beginners to more experienced programmers. The console manages to balance ease of use with powerful capabilities helping to make your lighting look as professional as a Broadway production.
ETC’s ColorSource range of fixtures are unsurpassed in their class in the entertainment lighting industry. With their patented colour chip mixing system ColorSource fixtures can access colours on the spectrum that no other LED fixtures can, giving you smooth and rich colour fades and brilliant hue and saturation options that aren’t limited to just red, green and blue.
The ColorSource Spots offer brilliant lighting shaping options with shuttering, barrel rotation and gobo and iris slots. Anyone who has ever worked with a tungsten profile will feel right at home except that now you don’t have to waste time with gel changes and even gobos enter a whole new realm of possibilities. Equipped with the 26° lens tube which offers a beam angle to suit most spaces the spot makes for a superb addition to any rig.
Like its big brother, the ColorSource PAR offers all the same colour and dimming capabilities as the spot but in a compact and stylish PAR package. With a medium/wide lens it’ll give you great washes across the space you’re lighting immediately transforming it into a wonderland of colour.
The ETC ColorSource starter pack represents an excellent investment for your venue and with the savings you’ll make on electricity consumption and lamp replacements it’ll soon pay for itself. Whether this is all you’ll ever need, or is a good starting point from which to upscale later, the ColorSource starter pack is your chance to get your hands on some great LED.
Please contact us or your local ETC dealer for more information.
30 May, 2017 | ETC
ETC has released two new additions to its Unison Echo® line of architectural lighting control. The new Dual Tech Sensors ensure spaces can adhere to stringent energy codes, while also ensuring occupant comfort. And two Contact Interface devices provide simple and seamless integration with other systems.
Dual Tech Sensors
For locations where no movement doesn’t mean a space is vacant, the new Dual Tech sensors offer a convenient and reliable way to make sure illumination is constant. Dual Tech sensors couple passive infrared (PIR) detection with acoustic detection and can support almost any room size or configuration. Available in wall, ceiling and switch mount configurations, with a range of finish options, the Echo Dual Tech sensors offer different models for Occupancy or Vacancy, meeting energy codes without the need for advanced configuration. The Dual Tech sensor features a walk test function to confirm coverage, supports small movement detection up to 45-feet, and includes coverage patterns for most applications. They are UL Listed and CE marked, and meet ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, and CA Title 24 codes.
For more info about the Echo Dual Tech Sensors, visit www.bit.ly/echodualtech
Contact Interfaces
System integration is simple with the new Echo Contact Interfaces. Available in 4-input and 4-output versions, Contact Interfaces seamlessly join Echo systems to third-party, external control systems. The Echo Contact Input Interface (ECII) can receive wet or dry contacts and uses the closure to activate actions in your Echo control system. Anything from a basic toggle switch all the way up to an advanced enterprise A/V systems can trigger the Contact Input Interface. And with the EchoAccess® mobile app users can program the system for any Echo control action.
The Echo Contact Output Interface (ECOI) supplies contact triggers to external systems. A contact output can be generated as part of any preset or zone control to automatically trigger an external system, including functions like powering on a projector or deploying shades. Additionally, the Echo Contact Output Interface can send a contact to third-party management programs, keeping enterprise-wide systems updated of the lighting system status. Both Echo Contact Interfaces connect your Echo system to larger installations, bringing custom actions and high-level integration to a budget-friendly system.
For more info about Echo Contact Interfaces, visit www.bit.ly/ecinterface
Please contact us or your nearest ETC Dealer for more information on ETC products.
25 May, 2017 | ETC
The ColorSource® Relay system kick-started a new era of power control, bringing budget-friendly system infrastructure with data distribution to theatres, houses of worship, schools and community centres. Now the ColorSource Relay is upgrading its simple configuration and wireless performance with the addition of wireless RDM.
The latest release of the Relay software – version 1.1.0 – is available to download and offers venues the ability to add wireless RDM to their ColorSource Relay system. RDM makes the convenient system even simpler to use, letting users identify and address their equipment wirelessly and then configure and monitor it, no matter where it’s placed in the rig. The Relay and ColorSource Transmitter have a 100-metre (328-foot) range and require minimal setup and no programming whatsoever.
“The ColorSource Relay system was already a ground-breaking tool, but now it’s even more powerful with the addition of wireless RDM,” says Ned Keitt-Pride, power controls product manager. “The ColorSource Relay makes it easy to get DMX, power and the benefits of RDM into remote locations.”
RDM is available in all ColorSource Relay units with an upgrade to software version 1.1.0. . In order to upgrade their units, users should contact ETC technical support. In addition to adding wireless RDM, the latest version of the ColorSource Relay software also includes upgrades for performance optimisation of wireless DMX.
The problem-solving ColorSource Relay offers configuration and control without cords and gives experts and beginners alike the superior ETC control experience.
For more information on the ColorSource Relay and the entire ColorSource family, visit www.etcconnect.com/ColorSource.
Please contact us or your nearest ETC Dealer for more information on ETC products.
