JACKSONVILLE, FL – The University of North Florida's Andrew A. Robinson Theatre, which hosts lectures, presentations, small theater, film showings and music performances, needed a multipurpose sound system, and UNF Fine Arts Center technology director Richard Stanford found one with a new Variant setup from D.A.S. Audio.
With assistance from Andrew Douglas of Jacksonville's Invisible Audio, Stanford started by downloading the D.A.S.-optimized version of EASE Focus system optimization and aiming software. With it, Stanford and Douglas penned a system consisting of six D.A.S. Audio Variant 112A self-powered, full range loudspeaker enclosures paired with two Variant 18A powered subwoofers. The equipment was purchased through AVI-SPL, Inc. of Tampa, FL.
"We took delivery of the equipment last October," notes Stanford, "and the installation was completed in December. This is a smaller sized proscenium theater, so I was looking for a compact system that offered good throw and broad horizontal dispersion that wouldn't interfere with line of sight considerations to the stage. The Variant system is ideal for this space and the types of activities that take place here. We flew three Variant 112A's per side with a single Variant 18A subwoofer at the top of each hang."
"As the Andrew A. Robinson Theatre is an older building," Stanford continued, "the self-powered design of the Variant system was another important consideration because we didn't have a lot of flexibility in terms of accommodating amp racks. By going with a self-powered system, we eliminated the issue of where to house the amplifiers and we also streamlined the process of cabling the system together. The sound quality is first rate and coverage throughout the space is very consistent. Speech intelligibility is terrific, as is the system's music reproduction capabilities-and these qualities are precisely what makes the D.A.S. Variant setup so well suited for use in this building."
Along with its sonic attributes, Stanford credited the Variant system for its flyware, documentation, and other aspects of the system. "The EASE Focus software gave us a tremendous amount of feedback in terms of developing the right system with suitable coverage for the space and all the hardware and system instructions were equally informative," Stanford said. "Because of this, I had no reason to call for technical assistance at any time throughout the installation.
"Our first event with the new system was a January 3rd concert by Christian pop music artist Johnny Diaz, which went very well," Stanford added. "Since that time, we've also received numerous compliments from other clients who have used the equipment. I am very pleased. Next summer, we plan on upgrading the sound in another facility on campus and, once again, I plan on using D.A.S. Audio."
For more information, please visit www.dasaudio.com .
