Bangalore’s Christ University has opened a new 325-seat auditorium, equipped a multimedia system that is based around QSC Audio ILA v2 line array and amplification.
Local company Acoustic Control has designed a complete integrated solution (including full videoconferencing and 200kW of back-up power) as well as acting as acoustic consultant – the latest assigment in a relationship that spans more than 15 years. The new system serves the purpose-built auditorium, which will be used for hosting lectures, presentations and cultural events, and forms part of the new Engineering College block on Christ University’s Kengeri campus.
The installation uses an ceiling suspended LR line array, consisting of five WL2082-i cabinets per side plus four 18-inch subwoofers, positioned under the stage within a masonry and concrete housing. On-stage sound is provided by four QSC HPR 112 powered stage monitors.
By focusing on installation requirements rather than the ruggedised design demanded by touring systems, QSC has been able to use a moulded enclosure and simplify the rigging design, thereby driving the overall cost down. Each element contains two 8-inch, neodymium magnet woofers and dual 1.75-inch neodymium compression drivers with titanium dome HF (selectable bi-amp or tri-amp operation) to provide a wide 140° coverage.
Powering the system are six QSC RMX5050 amplifiers, while loudspeaker management is via a pair of 2-input/8-output QSC SC28 system controllers and a 4-input/8-output processor. The SC28 offers simple preset recall processing and superior audio, incorporating QSC’s proprietary Intrinsic Correction process.
Managing director Sanjay Mudartha said that speech intelligibility had been the prime concern and worked towards achieving a reverberation time of less than 0.7s. At the same time he was unequivocal about why he specified the ILA. ‘The compact size, matched with the width of coverage, make this a perfect cost-effective solution. The system’s 140° spread means there was no requirement for a centre cluster – coverage and intelligibility are excellent throughout the auditorium, and the client is delighted.’
This is largely because the auditorium’s acoustics – including the QSC ILA modelling – were designed in Ease, with alignment and tuning carried out using Smaart. The entire room automation functions under AMX control, making it ‘child’s play’ to operate, according to Mudartha. However, he stated that there had been a number of challenges that needed to be overcome – the principle one being that the architect had not made provision for a control room. ‘We explained the importance of a separate room and stressed that the location of the room was equally important, and eventually they agreed.’
The Acoustic Control man adds that In India, where most building is done with masonry and RCC, this needed to be constructed from lightweight pipe and wood, since part of the auditorium floor was cantilevered out, with no support.
The project follows a previous Acoustic Control installation at Christ University, which saw the company supply and install a sound and lighting system for a larger, 2,000-seat auditorium in 2005.
More: www.qscaudio.com
