While typical of the challenge too frequently created by architects with little understanding of acoustics, the high ceiling and reflective surfaces of newly-built atrium at the Storhamar High School in Hamar, Norway, were not the only ones facing Lindbak A/S Gjovik – who were also required to provide a mixing and processing system that was flexible and easy to use.
The space is designed to host presentations, cultural and educational events, performances, open meetings and other functions. To best accommdate the varied demands of these uses, Norsk Lyddtecnik’s Bjorn Fjeld turned to a Symetrix Jupiter 8 (8-input/8-outp[ut) app-based digital signal processor – a solution that he had deployed successfully on other projects.
‘The Jupiter 8 is really the heart of the new system,’ he reports. ‘First, it acts as an auto-mixer for A/V presentations, events and open meetings, handling line sources and two wireless microphones. Second, it is also sufficient to accommodate cultural events, for which two inputs of the DSP mixer are set up for live/fader mixer inputting – allowing the device to act as a speaker processor.’
The EQ setting for the processor was derived from Community Professional’s TAG team recommendations, with slight adaptation to complement the specific requirements of the room. The speaker system is based around Community’s Entasys column line-array system, augmented by a single VLF212 sub, while power comes from Ecler DPA2000 amplifiers. Fjeld configured the Jupiter 8 DSP by selecting a suitable ‘app’ (pre-designed DSP configuration) from the Symetrix website, loading it onto the processor and tweaking the design’s parameters.
‘It’s a compact and discreet yet powerful system that we have provided to Storhamar High School,’ says Fjeld. ‘The Jupiter 8 will allow the school to easily manage audio for all of its current activities – such as presentations, award ceremonies and general meetings – as well as providing capabilities for some that will undoubtedly emerge in the future. The Symetrix DSP is a robust and powerfully designed bit of equipment that is ideal for educational establishments like Storhamar. We are sure they will have many years’ happy service from their new set-up.’
