Massey University’s heritage listed Sir Geoffrey Peren Building, recently underwent a three year $17 million renovation which has brought back to life many of the building’s original features and provided seismic strengthening. The NZ Institute of Architects Heritage Award winning multipurpose venue features the Central Auditorium, a key space which has been restored to its original elegant form and now a grand function room filled with natural light and is an ideal space for events.
The University specified an audio system that would predominantly be used for speech, with occasional musical performance. The system not only had to be versatile but easy to use, meet the aesthetic requirements in keeping with the elegant building status and of come within budget.
ML Consultants were appointed to supply and install a world class sound system and worked with JPRO’s audio team to design a system that would cover all of the customer requirements.
A Soundweb BSS BLU-100 audio processor with BSS Contrio Ethernet EC-8BV wall controller was installed to control the conference events, with the wall controller also controlling the functioning of the projector. The system processor was programmed and commissioned by ProVision Technologies.
Callum from Provision says, “The BSS Soundweb range of processors offer great value for money, and high reliability. When I install BSS Audio in a venue I know it will give many years of trouble free service. This is backed up by the great service of the team at JPRO.”
AKG WMS470 cost-effective handheld and presenter diversity wireless microphone systems were supplied. The WMS470 systems provide excellent value and professional reliability, with the ability to group operating frequencies and minimise external interference. The Presenter systems come complete with a headset and lapel microphone allowing the customer an option to choose their preferred microphone type.
“The BSS Soundweb range of processors offer great value for money, and high reliability. When I install a Soundweb in a venue I know it will give many years of trouble free service.”
Two JBL CBT-70J column array speakers and CBT70-JE extension speakers were installed for FOH with JBL Control25AV speakers installed for delays and balcony speakers. As JBL CBT column arrays are designed to perform without additional audio signal processing, Crown XTi series amplifiers power the loudspeakers.
JPRO’s audio designer comments “The ease model showed less than 3dB variation of volume throughout the venue for speech. This model was backed up once installed as the sound throughout the venue is extremely consistent at every listening position. It is what I like to call a good day at the office!”
For musical performances, two JBL PRX715XLF powered subwoofers were installed for when extra Low Frequencies are required.
“The Soundcraft digital consoles are the easiest to use digital consoles on the market; this is perfect for a venue where the console could be used by multiple users with varying levels of ability”
A Soundcraft Si Impact digital mixing console was selected for its simplicity. The Si Impact offers the unique FaderGlow system for an easy-to-follow workflow. “The Soundcraft digital consoles are the easiest to use digital consoles on the market,” says JPRO. “This is perfect for a venue where the console could be used by multiple users with varying levels of ability”.
To make set up easy for the venue technician a BSSBLU-SI card was installed into the console. This provides flexibility for when a production is performed in the venue and the Si-Impact is in use, the system can be switched over to the local inputs at the console. Further expandability is achieved with a Madi Controlled MSB-16 Channel Digital Stagebox, mounted in the Auditorium next to the stage area and run via CAT5.
“We are incredibly pleased with the audio system that has been expertly installed in the Sir Geoffrey Peren Building,” says a spokesperson for Massey University. “The audio fidelity is quite impressive – we are able to hear all around the room and balcony without the sound being too loud.”
