ATHENS, GA — Technical Services Audio Visual (TSAV) upgraded the sound system at the Grand Hall at the Classic Center with a NEXO GEO S12 line array system. Used for performance events, the Grand Hall can seat 3,175, and for the very largest crowds, the system may be augmented with near fills for the area directly in front of the stage. “Until now, the only installed sound in the room was an overhead 70v system for background music and paging,” said TSAV’s Steve Gore.
“Previously, the Center had to use a crew to rig a system whenever a live performance event took place, which limited the practical and economical use of the space,” Gore added.
“Because The Grand Hall is reconfigured weekly for a variety of events including concerts, trade shows, and church services, it’s not possible to permanently place ground stacked speaker arrays. The room is also acoustically challenging with a high ceiling main hall and a low balcony in the rear with glass enclosed meeting rooms on top.”
The installation included eight NEXO GEO S1210 speakers used as the mains, two GEO S1230s as down fills, plus four NEXO RS15-P subs and three NXAMP 4×1 processors.
“The NEXO GEO S12 and RS15 arrays provided us the predictable and flexible coverage pattern we needed to fly three arrays (left, right, and center cardioid sub) high enough so as not to interfere with room reconfiguration and allowing for clean sight lines when the front of house is not the primary focal point of the event,” Gore said. “The system provides direct coverage only where needed: the event floor.”
“Using NEXO GeoSoft 2 software to model the room and calculate the speaker configuration and placement, and the NXAMP 4×1 controllers to steer the cardioid sub pattern down to the floor, we were able to complete a challenging installation without resorting to the old ‘Well, let’s try it and see how it sounds’ mentality,” Gore said, adding that “the fidelity, complete coverage, and volume levels available with this system” will allow the venue to be used for a wider range of events, with greatly decreased set up time.
“From rock concerts to church services, we have a lot of customers who are making good use of the new sound system in The Grand Hall,” said Paul Cramer, executive director of The Classic Center. “It’s a great addition to our facility,” he added, noting the reactions to a performance by Athens Symphony Pops shortly after the install was complete.
Cramer also mentioned that a large church group meets at the venue, and when they need to use The Grand Hall, the new NEXO system will provide high-quality audio for services. “Having the system available in-house will add a level of convenience that we are pleased to offer our customers.”
For more information, please visit www.tsav.com and www.yamahaca.com.
