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Here in the President's Column, I hope you will read something inspiring, that expands your creativity, encourages you to realize possibilities, and develop a successful project thematically reflecting your imagination. |
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Insight Made it Work! |
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A Large Scale Sound System Designing the sound system for the largest floating casino in the World began in 1995. A structure, built on 6 river barges welded together with 2 levels of casino gaming and a 3rd floor of casino offices would certainly require a large scale sound system. With dozens of speaker zones, multiple telephone paging zones, and many multi-purpose microphone inputs, this system needed to be a fully integrated control system that was flexible, easy to use, and totally reliable. For a system of this scale, our first choice for system control was I.E.D. (Innovative Electronics Design). With all of the flexibility of I.E.D. and the computer control their products offer, we anticipated the project being as simple as 'In' & 'Out'. The client wanted a feature rich system offering flexibility on a limited budget. This eliminated our initial plans for an I.E.D. system. The Challenge: How could we provide the features of a fully integrated control system while using an individual zone mixer/processor, with additional equipment to provide multi-zone/multi-purpose microphone input matrixing? Rane Corporation was preparing to release the CP 62 zone processor (now revised to be the CP 64), this was a very impressive unit. The CP 62 offered a dual zone processor with assign-able paging inputs, 7-band equalizers, limiting, ducking, and remote control. There were a few features the CP 62 did not do that were definite requirements; individual assignment of page inputs to zone outputs, keyed (PTT) microphone control, and definite page only without the audio sense circuit. Of course we could have installed a CP 62 for each zone, but it is a dual zone box and the customer's budget would not allow that many devices. |
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"We decided to install a switch at the Microphone Input Jack of the CP 62's to provide a muting closure when the microphone was not in use, and a control closure when the microphone was switched on." |
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Our First Step: Rane was preparing to ship the CP 62's and was unable to do custom circuit modifications at that time. We decided to take this device to the drawing board and engineer the modifications to perform to our specifications. Rane gave us permission to proceed with modifying select CP 62 units to do what we wanted. The first two requirements of dual zone Page capability, and sound equalization for both zones were met, but allowing a 'special event page' while muting the music, and holding the music off required a more inventive solution.Since the music ducking (significantly reducing the music volume so the page can be heard clearly) was operated by audio sense on the Page Input, and the Page Input source would be a special event microphone, any pauses by the person performing the page would cause the music to return to its normal volume prematurely. |
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The Solution: We decided to install a switch at the Microphone Input Jack of the CP 62's to provide a muting closure when the microphone was not in use, and a control closure when the microphone was switched on. This closure controlled relays which allowed a 26kHz signal to be mixed with the Event Microphone and be fed into the Page Input of the CP 62. With enough 26kHz level mixed in with the microphones, the audio sense circuit could be held open to allow the Event Microphone to work without the background music erratically changing in volume during a page. A 26kHz signal is above the range of hearing for humans, yet enabled the CP 62 to perform seamless paging. Just don't bring your pet to the casino. |
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A TOA active matrix switcher was used to route any Event Microphone to any one, or more zones. Additional microphone processing and volume controls provided exactly what the client wanted.
Amazingly the casino, plus two lounge systems were installed in less than one month's time! The casino speakers and wire were installed by the local tradesman. Consulting, design, procurement, technical installation, supervision, and final setup was performed by Frattalone and Associates. The bulk of our projects are considered "Fast-Track" projects such as the Grand Casino Tunica. We use a pre-structured approach that ensures design integrity on these types of projects, complete them within narrow time frames, and within budget. |
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In Addition: Other projects for the casino included:
Subsequent additions and floor remodel projects have further added more speakers and equipment. All of these systems have required very little maintenance because of our specifying quality equipment in combination with an articulate design. Summary: Due to the thorough nature of our designs and the equipment we specify, there have been no equipment failures to date. All of our audio projects have enjoyed the same success and reliability. We have designed and built hundreds of projects including 8 casinos, more than 50 themed venues, hundreds of night clubs, hotels, restaurants, theaters, auditoriums, and more in our 28 years of doing business. |
