DETROIT, MI – Ford Field, home of the NFL Detroit Lions, got a sorely-needed upgrade to its sound system with a new Q-Sys integrated system platform from QSC, provided by Durrell Sports Audio Systems.
"The former system was a mixture of analog and networked digital audio using a variety of processors and technology," noted Durrell audio consultant/integrator John W. Horrell. "A main DSP was used for overall system EQ and then fed 26 other DSP devices, which provided the voicings for the main stadium clusters. A back of house system used still another DSP structure to feed the concourses, the locker rooms, the media areas and ticketing.
"With so many potential points of failure, servicing the system was a big problem – especially if a failure happened just before a game, as it did on one terrible occasion when the audio for the entire bowl area was lost," Horrell added.
That incident was the impetus for a total audio system remake. Durrell redesigning the entire control system, removing the old components, checking the existing amplifiers and speakers and commissioning the entire audio system – all just three weeks prior to the 2010 National College Hockey League Playoffs.
Durrell opted for a Q-Sys system comprised of 2 Q-Sys Core 3000 main frames and 27 Q-Sys I/O frames and they met the deadline with a few days to spare.
"The Q-Sys installation was a delight, and we actually had it connected and talking to all 125 amplifiers within three days," Horrell said. "Operation and Installation are far more efficient," he added, noting that Q-Sys is a single point-to-point type of technology that allows the routing of audio inputs to any specific point.
That, Horrell said, "offered us a huge improvement over the series connected DSP boxes in the old system. Instead of three separate computer programs plus more than 27 DSP processors, we operate within one program. Combine that with less signal latency, better output quality and constant assurance of equipment status, and Q-Sys was an excellent choice in this situation."
Another Q-Sys advantage is the system's ability to be controlled and monitored via a networked computer system.
"Durrell Sports Audio Systems provides our national clients with links to their computerized audio systems from our offices here in Nashville," Horrell said. "During the NFL season, we have engineers monitoring all the games being played each Sunday. With Q-Sys, we were able to set up management parameters which alert us if there is something that should be looked at. Problems like over-heated amplifiers or unusual impedances can be singled out and actually addressed from 500 miles away."
As it turns out, Ford Field had been equipped with a number of legacy QSC amplifiers, including PowerLight 4.0 and 6.0 models that were still serving reliably. Since Q-Sys is backwards-compatible with these DataPort equipped amplifiers, they could be fully integrated into the Q-Sys design and are controlled and monitored just like the newer PL3 and CX models that were added to the amplifier inventory.
For more information, please visit www.qscaudio.com.
