FREDERICKSBURG, TX – The National Museum of the Pacific War's 33,000-square-foot George H.W. Bush Gallery conveys the history of World War II in the Pacific and East Asian theaters. Bowen Technovation provided all control, audio, video, lighting and interactive exhibit technologies, which include Tannoy-based loudspeaker technologies for each exhibit.
In all, there are 40 media installations that speak to visitors about the complex, difficult and ultimately inspiring story of America's war in the Pacific during World War II. Bowen Productions provided large-scale content; Boston Productions supplied interactive content.
"The exhibits feature Tannoy-based systems that are 5.1 channels but not in your typical L-R-C-Sub-Ls-Rs orientation," said Jeff Bowen, president and creative director of Bowen Technovation. "They behave more like six independent channels that we use for sound effects or to localize voice in the area of the visual images. In that respect it is not ‘surround sound' but is more like multi-channel audio. We used Tannoy DC 6i loudspeakers for each channel and one or two DS 15i subwoofers as needed in each exhibit."
The Pearl Harbor Gallery, the largest exhibit in the new museum addition, demanded a bit more audio artillery.
"We used the same approach for the Pearl Harbor exhibit, but with eight channels, so the system is 7.1, but again, not in the "theater" sense," Bowen continued. "It is actually 6.2 with a L-R over two edge-blended wide projection areas, with two rears and with one speaker off to the audience's far left for dive bomber and teletype effects.
"The remaining speaker is mounted over one additional projection screen for explosions and voice sound effects. The subwoofers for the Pearl Harbor Gallery are two Tannoy DC 15i spaced far apart with separate sub bass audio effect on each."
A total of 19 DC 6i loudspeakers and seven DS 15i subwoofers were used in the 40 exhibits.
In addition to the exhibit areas, eight Tannoy Di5 surface mount loudspeakers fire down in various zones for soundscapes. Six Tannoy CMS 501 and two CMS 601 ceiling speakers are installed under bulkheads and in ceilings for complete audio coverage. QSC amplifiers provide the power for all of the units.
"Tannoy products have worked very well on other projects during our 25 year history; this was no exception," Bowen said. "We also have very personal communications with all the Tannoy staff which makes working with them a pleasure."
For more information, please visit www.tcgroup-americas.com.
