Purpose
The University of Windsor’s sports facilities had quite a dated sound system. In a space that seats 1,600 spectators, there was a growing concern over the quality of sound that was delivered to such a big audience. This led Facilitators at the University of Windsor to want to update their 20+ year old audio system, with primary goals including increasing the impact of the audio system and creating a high‐energy mood for the spectators during games/competitions.
Challenge
Courtside control was important to the University of Windsor, so they could effectively make announcements, and cue appropriate sounds and volumes for various situations. TOA had to design a system that works well in the facility which has high ceilings and some reverberation. The sound also needed to be directed at the crowd for the best delivery and clarity.
Solution
TOA Canada Corporation improved the extremely dated system in the basketball court and bleacher areas by designing and providing EASE drawings of the venue and how TOA’s products would react in the environment. The SR‐C Series Line Arrays were designed to provide optimum coverage of the bleacher to provide proper sound coverage at court level, four HX‐5B Compact Array Speakers were assembled into two arrays facing 90 degrees down with one set covering each end zone of the court. The head end equipment is assembled in a rack located in an ante‐room off of the lobby. Driving the audio system are five DA‐500F, 4 Channel Amplifiers. The system is mixed using TOA’s new D‐2008SP Digital Mixing Processor. To provide courtside control, TOA’s Q‐D‐2012C Remote Control Console Unit has been linked wirelessly to the D‐2008SP using a router and gateway connection. The audio provided from a music source (iPod) is sent via TOA’s Audio Network Adapter, NX‐100, over the wireless network to the D‐2008SP Digital Mixing Processor. This provides the announcer with courtside control for announcements and cueing the appropriate sounds and volume levels.
Feedback
The installation was successful with many of the faculty and spectators expressing appreciation for the high-quality sound and dynamic impact the system is now able to generate in the basketball court and bleachers.
About TOA Canada Corporation
TOA Corporation was founded in Kobe, Japan over 80 years ago. TOA operates in over 100 countries worldwide, with manufacturing facilities found in nearly every major market area. These facilities have a reputation for precision design and fabrication, resulting in a proven track record of TOA product reliability. TOA Canada Corporation was formed in 1990 as a complete sound solutions provider, specializing in commercial audio, including, public address, voice communications, voice evacuation, and emergency paging requirements. TOA Canada offers complete solutions for all corporate and commercial audio communications and intercom security requirements.
