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FEATURE
TOA HX-5 series compact line array speakers aimed directly at the seats eliminate reflections and maintain high intelligibility. Bottom: An AKG wireless antenna paddle lurks near the HX-5 array.
system, and where were the individual boxes placed? SD: There is an AMX system that runs everything from the main judging box. We also have the Biamp systems set up with the daVinci software that allows complete control of the system. There’s actually multiple locations where the systems are housed. There’s the indoor area which supplies the arena, and there’s also an outdoor system, where we have further Biamp systems hooked into the main system via optic fibre down to a stable that houses the amplification. That equipment then feeds to all the stables and the Camp Draft Arena and all the outdoor warm-up areas and the parking areas. The TOA HX5A units were primarily deployed in the main arena along with the Sales Arena annex. The Sales Arena has seating for 560 people and is used for demonstrations
and, as the name would suggest, auctions for livestock so you can imagine that area gets pretty noisy at times. The two-way BS1030B units were chosen for additional coverage in the Main Arena, both flown and beneath the seating. These were also used throughout the concourse area. The Main Arena required the use of four AKG CHM21 mics that were used for ambient noise level measurements. Another two CHM21s were used for ambient noise metering in the VIP area and another in the mezzanine. Smaller flushmount speakers like the CS154 15W units were deployed in the car parking areas, the warmup areas and throughout the amenities sections of the complex. Then within the rodeo shoots are further 6W CS64 flushmount speakers to let those guys know what’s going on before they’re released from the shoot. Not that I’d
reckon they’re listening to much at the time! Obviously there’d have to be issues with heat and dust in such an environment. Did this sway any of your supply decisions? SD: Definitely. Many of the speakers were chosen for their ability to stand up to the dust, and a lot of the outdoor speakers have to withstand weather and UV radiation. So a lot of the TOA equipment was chosen for those environmental factors. It’s brilliant gear when it comes to standing up to harsh conditions. The TOA amps such as the DA500 and DA250 digital amplifiers are great, in that they’ll fit into cramped conditions and put out a lot less heat. AV: