Located in suburban Fort Worth, the Mansfield Independent School District (ISD) facilities include the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts, a freestanding 142,000 square-foot facility used for live music and theater events. It also functions as a professional development center, with a conference/banquet area, breakout rooms and computer labs, creating a profit center for the school district while serving its students, staff and community.
During the pandemic, the facility began experiencing end-of-life issues with some of the high-end technology installed there, necessitating a full refurbishment. Mansfield ISD engaged CRUX Technology & Security Solutions (Fort Worth) to make an in-depth assessment of the situation, then make recommendations on how best to bring the facility back to state-of-the-art standards, in line with the district’s needs and vision.
The PA solution CRUX recommended was designed around Electro-Voice X2 line-array loudspeakers in combination with Dynacord’s IPX series amplifiers. DSP, time delays, speaker optimization, and system control were programmed into the amplifiers via Dynacord SONICUE Sound System Software. The physical installation was executed by another established area company, Electro Acoustics.
One key element of the upgrade was reinforcing the performing arts center’s ability to generate revenue for the school district by hosting national touring productions with its in-house sound system. This requirement is easily met by the EV-Dynacord solution, which provides a level of all-around performance and control that represents a marked improvement over the venue’s previous system.
“We specified the Electro-Voice and Dynacord products very deliberately on this project,” notes Mason Brooks, Senior AV Consultant at CRUX. “Since legacy product end-of-life and supply chain issues were driving forces on the project, we did not have the luxury of allowing alternates. These brands represent Grade A technology, and the X2 delivers a significant audio upgrade with a smaller footprint, and with less impact on sightlines. Bosch (EV and Dynacord’s parent company) was also one of the few manufacturers that could actually deliver the product in our required time frame.”
The ability to deliver a large system in a timely manner was critical, as the CRUX design actually created the largest permanent installation of Electro-Voice X-Line Advance in North America, with a total of 67 full-range cabinets plus ten subwoofers, making the 5500-seat auditorium’s PA system worthy of hosting major touring concert events. In addition, both the left and right sides of the semicircular room can be walled off to create smaller dedicated spaces, each with its own sound system and seating for 640.
The main auditorium PA consists of twin 13-box X2-212 arrays, each with 11 X2-212 90° boxes above two 120° models to ensure full coverage across the front. The low end is amply supplied by a center hang of ten X12-125F dual-15” flying subwoofers, notable for their tightly-controlled cardioid output. To ensure full coverage to the back of the capacious auditorium, three delay arrays of seven X2-212/120 enclosures are evenly spaced to cover the back of the room.
Audio for the two side rooms is provided by independent 10-box line arrays, utilizing the 90° dispersion X2-212 to achieve full coverage in those narrower spaces. These side room hangs were optimized via SONICUE to deliver sufficient low end without requiring additional subwoofers.
The entire PA system is powered by 16 Dynacord IPX20:4 amplifiers. With 20,000 watts in just two RU of space, these Dante-enabled smart amplifiers house significant DSP power and are part of the SONICUE ecosystem. SONICUE was thus used to implement key system design elements, including loudspeaker optimization, room EQ, time delay and subwoofer directionality. Additionally, IPX amps employ Eco-Rail technology to reduce power consumption by up to 50%, which was a big selling point for the school district.
Another unique function of IPX’s energy-efficient feature set is Ghost Power – a problem-solving technology that ensures the amplifer and processing will instantaneosly recover from mains power glitches. It eliminates reboot issues that might occur during a short-term outage or a transition to a secondary power source by ensuring the amplifiers have sufficient power in reserve to maintain DSP through generator startup. IPX achieves this without the need for an expensive uninterruptable power supply (UPS) system or non-network components.
“The Dynacord IPX amps were important to ensure the reliability of the system,” explains Mason Brooks. “The arts center is in a location that’s known for having occasional power outages, and the facility is used as a reunification point for Mansfield schools in case of emergency. The Dynacord amps solve that problem beautifully. The Ghost Power technology acts as a power backup until the building’s backup generators kick in. So as soon as the power returns, sound is happening without waiting for the amps to reboot. It’s a huge upgrade that addresses the critical needs of mass notification and evacuation.”
In replacing dated system infrastructure with a modern Dante network, finding an appropriate location for the new amplifiers presented a minor challenge. Fortunately, with only 16 amps needed to accommodate 320,000 watts of power, the existing catwalk in the main auditorium could handle the equipment racks without additional structural support.
“In upgrading the facility, our flexibility was limited in terms of conduit runs,” explains Ryan Walker, Senior Account Manager at Electro Acoustics. “Fortunately, the catwalk made a pretty good midway point. We have about 300 feet of CAT cable to bring the Dante network up to the amps. From there, we had manageable runs of about 300 to 400 feet of copper out to the various speaker positions. So really, the Dynacord product design was a big part of the solution.” Walker also notes that installation of the line arrays was remarkably easy. “We were fortunate that the auditorium had a motorized hoist system in place for the massive self-powered system we were replacing,” notes Walker. “The positive pin-locking system on the EV arrays made it easy to stack the speakers and build the arrays in place. EV’s hardware design is outstanding, so the reinstallation was ten times faster than most typical line array systems.”
The system design for the Mansfield ISD’s Center for the Performing Arts represents a strong success story during the pandemic, with Bosch’s global resources serving to enable a fast-tracked project from concept to completion in under six months. “While there are several companies that can provide the technology this project demanded, the Bosch ecosystem of Electro-Voice line arrays and Dynacord electronics provides a synergy of technology, sound quality and value that does a tremendous job of meeting all the customer’s needs,” says Mason Brooks of CRUX. “Everyone involved is thrilled with the result.”
ApexPro is the leading distributor of Electro-Voice products and services in Africa. Contact us to find out more about Electro-Voice products.
GRAMMY®-nominated and Eurovision-winning Italian rock band Måneskin continues its global ascent to stardom with a world tour and dozens of festivals in every corner of the globe.
To ensure the band’s sound is impeccable for every show, Måneskin puts its trust in Sound Engineer Enrico La Falce, whose experience spans the panorama of Italian pop and rock music. Building off his first role as a studio assistant in London and his career as a mixing engineer and producer in Italy, La Falce knew he wanted a natural and uncolored microphone to support the band’s glam-rock sound on tour. For this, he selected DPA Microphones’ d:facto 4018V Vocal Microphone.
“When we were planning the rehearsals with Måneskin for their first ‘big’ concerts, I met with the band’s Monitor Engineer, Remo Scafati, to exchange ideas regarding gear,” says La Falce. “He suggested that I test the DPA d:facto 4018V for vocals. I have other colleagues enthusiastically using it as well, so I decided to give it a try. From the moment I connected the d:facto to my Sennheiser Digital SKM 6000 transmitter, I fell in love with the microphone; primarily for the sound quality, but also for being a truly valuable tool. Since then, Lead Singer Damiano David’s voice has always been entrusted to DPA Microphones’ d:facto.”
Måneskin chooses not to use AutoTune or any other pre-production effects, instead opting for a raw sound reminiscent of Blink-182 or Green Day, making the neutral tone of the d:facto 4018V an ideal addition to the group’s gear lineup. “The d:facto has a nice sound that is warm and thick, and it has crazy detail unlike many other capsules,” La Falce continues. “I especially like it for the range around 5,000 to 6,000 Hz. Usually this range remains glassy and you have to play with the EQ to correct it, but the d:facto doesn’t have that problem. Plus, it presents the voice naturally. You can always add character from the console, but the d:facto provides a clean, precise translation of the voice.”
Unlike the clean sound and sleek design of DPA’s mics, Måneskin’s glam-rock sound and style result in metallic leather vests and flares, eyeliner, shimmering details and metal studs. “Damiano is moving and dancing a lot on the stage, and often ends up cupping his hand over the grille,” adds La Falce of the singer’s style. “The d:facto doesn’t bring in weird sounds, but to obtain this quality, the mic must be used correctly, meaning the grille must never be covered. To avoid this, Remo and I came up with a simple idea: we put a studded bracelet on the microphone body, and when Damiano feels the studs, he knows his limit. Damiano brings this ‘punk-rock-mic’ with him all the time, and it has become an iconic accessory.”
The band’s unique style combines elements of dark and glam rock, something that has been missing from the contemporary music scene for some time. Its musical style is explicitly reminiscent of 1970s rock, like Queen and Elton John, mixed with Franz Ferdinand and Aerosmith, which gained the attention of later generations. “Of all the bands that I have worked with, this one is the most powerful commercially and simultaneously the most ‘indie’ production I have ever mixed,” says La Falce. For that complete “indie” production setup, La Falce connects the d:facto to the mic pre of a Yamaha Rivage mixer, which goes through a first equalization stage from the desk, and then into an UREI 1176 compressor and a Pultec EQ to sculpt the sound, and ends at an Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Amplifier to get a good thickness of the voice.
La Falce was recently able to push the d:facto to extreme conditions, relying on it for Måneskin’s performance at the Circus Maximus in Rome, which featured 27-meter-long catwalk. Damiano ended up singing in front of the PA for most of the performance — yet La Falce found the distance and bleed to be a non-issue. “Zero problems, not even any feedback,” he finishes. “The d:facto is a standard microphone for me now, one which must always be considered.”
With their song “Zitti E Buoni” (Shut Up and Behave) topping the leaderboard at the Eurovision Song Festival, Måneskin became a global sensation. They became break-out stars in America, where they toured with the Rolling Stones, played on Saturday Night Live, and were nominated for the “Best New Artist” category at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards. After completing the North American run of their world tour in December 2022, Måneskin will wrap up the European leg on July 25.
ApexPro is the recognized distributor of DPA Microphones in Africa. Reach out to us to find out if DPA is the right solution for your installation or touring needs.
After renting for nearly eight years, Meyer Sound LEOPARD® compact line array loudspeakers have taken up permanent residence in the Silva Concert Hall.
The rental system was provided by locally based George Relles Sound, Inc., with Relles returning earlier this year as the integrator for the permanent installation. The new resident system made its debut in the 2,447-seat venue with a performance of Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) by the Eugene Concert Choir with composer Paul Winter as the featured soloist. One week later, the system supplied sound for a showing of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, with a live performance of the John Williams score by the Eugene Symphony.
“Everything is going great with our new system,” says Hult Center General Manager Jeff Weinkauf, “but of course, that is hardly a surprise. I’ve heard it many times over the years, and I’m always blown away by the clarity, depth, and consistency. George [Relles] said several times — somewhat jokingly — that we might as well buy one of our own. Finally, we were able to make that happen.”
In addition to “pops” style concerts and movie soundtracks with the Eugene Symphony, a cross-section of past performances supported by the essentially identical LEOPARD system includes Patti Labelle, the Chick Corea Elektric Band, Pink Martini, Bob Weir & the Wolf Bros., B.B. King, and Buddy Guy.
Weinkauf, who previously served as operations director and technical director at the Hult Center, had ample opportunity to evaluate alternatives for a permanent “A+” solution. “Many touring pop and Broadway shows carry their own production, so I’d heard solutions from most of the major manufacturers in our space,” he says. “Consistently, the Meyer Sound systems outperform the others in here. We always seemed to get more positive comments when the show was carrying Meyer Sound.”
The installed system comprises main left and right hangs of 14-each LEOPARD compact line array loudspeakers, one more than with the typical rental system. Three ULTRA-X40™ compact loudspeakers are installed as balcony delays. “For most shows, the delays aren’t critical because the LEOPARDs cover the balcony very well,” notes Relles. “But if there’s a lot of level coming off the stage from a loud band, and it’s exciting the room, the delays will help boost the clarity up there.”
The top twelve LEOPARD loudspeakers are the M80 variant, with the narrower 80-degree horizontal pattern limiting reflections off the side walls. The bottom two loudspeakers employ the standard 110-degree waveguide. Front fills are six ULTRA-X20™ compact wide-coverage loudspeakers, and deep bass is propelled by three-per-side gradient cardioid arrays of 1100-LFC™ low-frequency control elements.
“Sometimes we would get questions about having only six subs,” admits Weinkauf. “People will walk in, take a look, and say, ‘Is that really going to be enough?’” Then we fire it up, and they say, ‘That will be fine.’ Of course, we can always have George bring in a few more, if only for the visual effect.”
Relles’ long experience with LEOPARD arrays in the room made system tuning a snap. “One TruShaping filter and a couple of parametrics with just a few dB was all it took,” he recalls. “Since I already had the Compass files from previous visits I basically had the system ready in less than fifteen minutes.”
Relles and Weinkauf had discussed an option for the new PANTHER™ large format linear line array loudspeaker but soon concluded it would be more than the room needed. The first trials proved the point. “After I tuned the LEOPARDs we played tracks from all genres, ending up with some heavy metal,” recalls Relles. “We still had six to eight dB of headroom but everybody was screaming ‘Enough!’ at the top of their lungs.”
The system upgrade also included MJF-208™ and MJF-210™ stage monitors, with more of each model on order. “We still have our old monitors, but after hearing the MJF wedges, the techs in both of our rooms are specifying them for their shows. Artists love the way they sound. They’re lightweight, powerful, and so easy to dial in with very little — if any — corrective EQ needed.”
Having their own premier system available at all times allows the Hult Center more certainty and flexibility in programming, continues Weinkauf. “This gives our programming manager, Vicki Infinito, a new tool for attracting and booking top-rank artists. George is a sought-after provider for our region, so he was not always available to bring in his LEOPARD system. Also, we are seeing more acts touring only with desks, making this upgrade a high priority. We are already booking top-tier acts for the fall that might have passed us by if we didn’t have this system available in-house.”
Operated by the City of Eugene Cultural Services Division and opened in 1982, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts is renowned for its striking exterior and the novel basketweave interior of the Silva Concert Hall. The Hult Center also houses the intimate, 495-seat Soreng Theater.
Designed to deliver a step up in sound quality for the battery-powered portable PA segment, with high SPL and full-bandwidth coverage.
Compact, lightweight and weatherized design coupled with extended battery life – longer run time for gigs and events, indoors or outdoors.
Flexible all-in-one feature set, including QuickSmart Mobile app and Bluetooth® for best-in-class control and streaming, an onboard mixer and studio-quality effects – a user-friendly and versatile choice for musicians, DJs, fitness/activity instructors, events/gatherings and more
Electro-Voice is pleased to announce the global introduction of the EVERSE 8 weatherized battery-powered loudspeaker with Bluetooth® audio and control. The first battery-powered loudspeaker from Electro-Voice and the first weatherized model of its type, EVERSE 8 takes advantage of decades of Electro-Voice engineering expertise – along with the latest advancements in technology – to provide a truly portable and truly wireless audio experience at a price and performance level unmatched by current comparable products on the market.
Whether used for live music, vocal reinforcement and/or audio playback, musicians, DJs, production/rental companies, fitness/activity instructors and other professional, amateur and recreational users can all benefit from EVERSE 8’s superior sound quality, user-friendliness and all-in-one PA system design – a concept that opens-up real pro-audio performance for a wider range of users than ever before. EVERSE 8 comes in a black or white finish, adding an aesthetic angle to its versatility.
ApexPro technical sales specialist Pepe Khumalo says: “I am super excited to see the EVERSE 8 hitting our shelves at the beginning of April this year. I truly believe that this little box, which packs a big punch, will be a game changer for both professional and end-users alike.”
Contact Pepe Khumalo at pepe@apexpro.co.za for more information and to pre-book your stock.
ApexPro, in partnership with local pro-AV supplier Six Dots, successfully launches HH Electronics in Gaborone, Botswana.
ApexPro, the distribution arm of the Prosound Group of Companies, headed to Gaborone, Botswana, to launch HH Electronics’ range of audio solutions at the Town Lodge Convention Center on February 27.
ApexPro took on the distribution rights of HH Electronics, part of the UK-based Headstock Group, for the sub-Saharan region late in 2022. “HH Electronics offers a versatile range of both portable and commercial audio solutions that are ideal for the African market,” says ApexPro’s HH Electronics product specialist, Simba Mukabeta. “The company’s products are designed by a passionate team of audiophiles in the UK, and offer scalable audio solutions, robust design, and high-quality sound at an affordable price.”
Based on the positive response the HH Electronics launch received from the local market in South Africa in late 2022, ApexPro teamed up with its partner in Botswana, Six Dots, to arrange a pro-AV Expo at the Town Lodge Convention Centre in Gaborone.
“We presented HH-Electronics’ Tensor and Tessen Series at the event, which was very well received by both professional and end users,” Mukabeta explains. “In sub-Saharan Africa, clients are looking for high-quality sound that is scalable, affordable, and, most importantly, able to withstand the harsh African climate. HH-Electronics delivers on all these fronts, and it’s a privilege to offer our Botswanan clients a solution that we truly believe in,” he concludes.
While HH-Electronics is a new product in Botswana, ApexPro enjoys a long-standing relationship with pro-AV service providers in the region.
“Over the past two years, our ability to visit our partners in sub-Saharan Africa has been severely curtailed due to travel restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” explains ApexPro company director Justin Acres. “We have long-standing partnerships with installation and rental companies in Botswana, who have come to rely on ApexPro to deliver world-class professional audio-visual equipment on time and within budget to support their projects in the region, despite the complexities of doing business in a developing market. In addition to relying on ApexPro as a distributor, clients in the region can lean on the expertise of the Prosound team as pro-AV installations and AV solutions providers, with 50 years of experience working in the region.” Acres points out.
“One of our goals this year is to reconnect in person with our partners in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to strengthening our existing relationships in the region, we are determined to increase our already impressive African footprint in 2023. We want to ensure that Africa’s rapidly growing and underserviced pro-AV market can access the best, most fit-for-purpose AV technology through local distributors to ease the burden of doing business with overseas suppliers in the region,” Acres concludes.
ETC has introduced a new version of the Power Pack ALCR (Automatic Load Control Relay).
ETC Power Pack ALCR (Automatic Load Control Relay).
The new ALCR-PP-Mk2 model now supports emergency control of 0-10 VDC, DALI, and DMX512 directly controlled emergency luminaires in accordance with 2023 NEC section 700.24.
When used for emergency control of 0-10V luminaires, these additional relay contacts allow two separate control circuits for luminaires that require two channels of control.
The ALCR allows emergency lighting fixtures that are also used for normal illumination to be controlled under everyday non-emergency circumstances. When normal power is lost, or a fire alarm is activated, the ALCR bypasses normal control and forces the emergency lighting fixtures to an emergency state.
Luminaires that are energized to the appropriate emergency level upon loss of control connection are no longer required to be UL 924 listed because of changes to section 700.24 in the 2023 NEC. Unlike the DEBC that actively drives DMX512 channels to full, the ALCR-PP-Mk2 will disconnect 0-10V, DALI, or DMX512 control signals, driving the emergency luminaire to its data-loss state, as well as bypassing any normal line-voltage power control of the luminaire.
The ALCR is a UL 924 Listed emergency lighting device for control of a single 120/277 V circuit. The ALCR-DIN will remain unchanged from its original version and will still support a single control circuit of 0-10V or DALI. All new quotes for the ALCR-PP will switch to the Mk2 version immediately. Any existing orders for the original ALCR will continue to ship as the original product. If you want to change your order to the new version, please contact your customer service rep or project manager.
“At ETC, we understand that emergency lighting is first and foremost a matter of life safety. This new version of our Power Pack ALCR will give our customers access to control of many more emergency luminaire types that we weren’t previously able to support.”
