SAN LORENZO, CA — For San Lorenzo High School’s outdoor stadium, the San Lorenzo Unified School District contracted with Hayward, CA-based Lloyd F. McKinney Associates to manage the installation of a new sound system. The 1,500-capacity stadium has been equipped with Technomad gear including four weatherproof loudspeakers and a pre-wired signal processing equipment rack.
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The new audio system is the first of its kind at the high school. The timing of the installation ensures the system will improve public address quality for this year’s graduation ceremony, and will otherwise inject new life into home athletic events.
“This installation represents a significant milestone for San Lorenzo High School, as it had no real PA system previously in place and was relying on outdated field horns for use during sporting events,” said Rick McKinney, owner and president of Lloyd F. McKinney Associates.
San Lorenzo High School sought a versatile, great-sounding solution that covered the entire stadium and could remain outdoors year-round. The local climate produces heavy rains and winds in the winter months, and the school wanted to avoid the costs of replacing damaged equipment.
“We knew Technomad was the perfect match for this project when we heard their requirements,” said McKinney. “We’ve worked with Technomad many times, and we knew the superior clarity, versatility and fully weatherproof design of their loudspeakers were right in line with the school’s needs. The audio is crisp and clear, and if they get soaked it won’t make a difference in sound quality.”
McKinney chose Technomad Noho weatherproof loudspeakers, noting that they generate a very broad and smooth response, with plenty of power to cover the entire field. He mounted two on the home side and two on the visitor’s side to provide more flexibility for music and band-related productions. The complete solution includes the pre-wired signal processing rack, with an amplifier and mixer; and all required cables and connectors for the loudspeaker installation.
Despite some rain delays, McKinney had the system up and running in a few weeks. “Rain softened the ground, so we had to install plywood to keep the scissor lift from sinking into the new grass,” he said. “Once secured, we quickly mounted the loudspeakers, attached the cables, plugged in the mixer and amplifier, and turned on the system. It was seamless.”
McKinney notes that the input connector for an iPod and Mp3 player in the signal processing rack is a favorite feature. He added a wireless solution for field-level iPod control for special events.
“Features like this are important for good sound quality,” he said. “We live in a highly connected, audio-rich environment, and today’s adolescents expect the same audio quality from pre-show and halftime music that they get from their iPods and Mp3 players. The Technomad system delivers on this, and the Nohos reproduce the full musical range, with plenty of high end and very good lows and mids.”
McKinney is planning another Technomad installation at Arroyo High School in the same school district this spring. In the meantime he is relishing the success of this project for good reason.
“My children and my wife were educated through the San Lorenzo Unified School District, and I attended from the fifth grade,” McKinney said. “I’m honored to have directed this installation.”
