WINTER PARK, FL – Full Sail University's new 22,000-square-foot multi-use performance venue, Full Sail Live, has been equipped with a 65-cabinet Meyer Sound reinforcement system that can be reconfigured for concert, spoken word presentations or cinema and multimedia surround applications.
Dana Roun, director of audio programs, cited versatility as a key selling point. "We had to satisfy every imaginable scenario, from full-tilt, high SPL concerts to precise acoustic music, plus guest speakers, surround visual presentations, and theatre in the round," Roun said. "The Meyer Sound system certainly delivers on that count.
"Educationally, the system had to lend our students a full understanding of audio system design and integration, diverse live applications, and system optimization," Roun added. "Certainly the SIM 3 and MAPP Online Pro [acoustical prediction program] serve as a foundation for audio design and analysis. Beyond that, we needed a solid commitment to educational support, which is something Meyer Sound has clearly demonstrated."
The new Full Sail Live system is based around left-right arrays of eight-each MICA line array loudspeakers with low-end support from eight 600-HP subwoofers. Center- and front-fill systems are, respectively, five JM-1P arrayable and four UPJ-1P VariO loudspeakers. The monitoring complement includes UM-1P, USM-1P, and MJF-212A stage monitors, as well as UPA-1P and UPM-1P loudspeakers.
The surround setup features 15 HMS-10 cinema surround loudspeakers and two UPQ-1P loudspeakers as rear-corner systems. The main and surround systems are driven by a Galileo loudspeaker management system with, respectively, dual and single Galileo 616 processors.
"The Galileos are key to controlling the large and distributed system," said Dave Arias, production manager for show production. "We can control the main PA from FOH while monitoring everything with RMS."
Dave Dean, department chair for live productions, called Galileo "a pleasant surprise. The Compass software is very user friendly. It was a lot of fun configuring and reconfiguring the system using these tools. Students are going to enjoy learning this system as much as I have."
Since opening in early summer, the Full Sail Live venue has hosted a variety of concerts and events, including the school's Hall of Fame Awards, a concert by the alt-electro-rock band Mutemath and a surround sound workshops by engineers from TV's Lost series.
Meyer Sound's relationship with Full Sail University extends back to 1988 when the school purchased a 22-cabinet system anchored by MSL-3 loudspeakers and 650-R2 subwoofers.
"Those speakers are still working," Roun said. "I'd say that's solid testimony for reliability and value. I expect no less from the new system."
Full Sail Live is part of the school's new Gateway Project, a 2.2-acre campus addition that also includes a studio complex for music recording and game production, an outdoor courtyard and an expansion of the on-campus film studio backlot.
For more information, please visit www.meyersound.com.
