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Theater PA replacement project
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Theater PA replacement project
Hi Everyone,
I’m trying to initiate the process of replacing the PA system in our main campus auditorium. It’s a multi-use space that hosts concerts, dinners, lectures, dance parties, roller skating, etc.
For reference our current PA is an EAW 650 rig (5 highs, 4 subs a side) run off Crown Macro-tech amplifiers.
We recently installed a downstage traveler to close off the stage (something the venue didn’t have for the first 40 years) and now we’re getting a lot of requests to put a substage in front of the stage putting all the mics in front of the PA. Also when we’re bringing in national acts we’re having to subcontract production to meet riders. We’d still need production support but if we could spec out a new PA so they’re just bringing desks that would be looked upon favorably by the budget people.
If anyone has any tips for navigating bureaucracy, or suggested vendors or even gear I’d love to hear from you. Thanks!
Scott
Scott Casanova
srcasano@syr.edu
Associate Director
Syracuse University-
This discussion was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by
Scott Casanova.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by
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1 Reply
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Hi Scott,
The introduction of a main stage curtain has the possibility of significantly altering the acoustics of your performance space. I would discourage purchasing a new sound system without having an acoustician evaluate the space, or at least hiring a company to do an actual system design. Many PA speakers have digitally steerable arrays, that can not only change directions, but can also change the degree of spread. You could potentially create different modes for when the performance is happening downstage or upstage of the proscenium. You will likely need more than just speakers, and will probably benefit from some good sound processing hardware.
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