Recreation Center

Will Fraser

Recreation Center

The audio system for a recreation center has a number of unique requirements, including:

~The ability to select multiple audio sources and distribute them to several zones
~The need to control the audio from a number of locations within the facility
~The necessity for paging announcements to override the background music

This configuration accomplishes all that...

Audio sources (in this case, CD player, music receiver, and VCR), often have a significant difference in the level of consecutive tracks. This variance needs to be controlled so that the levels of audio playback remains relatively constant. By using the Leveller within HiQnet™ London Architect™ as the first processing object in the audio path, automatic adjustments are made to compensate for discrepancies between the levels of each track. This results in an even volume level during playback.

After passing through the Leveller, the signals are then equalized using a parametric equalizer (EQ). This processing object can be used to adjust for the acoustics of the room and help make the system pleasing to the ear. Proper EQ also assures the highest intelligibility of voice announcements throughout the system.

Depending on the facility and the wishes of the designer, the music can be sent to amplifiers/loudspeakers as either stereo or mono signals. In the case of this design, it was desired to have portions of the system in stereo, while other parts of the facility employed mono audio feeds. To accomplish this, the audio source was split. Part of the signal was sent to a Summer processing object to create a mono source for the hallways, restrooms, courtyard and lobby areas. At the same time, part of the signal was kept as a stereo feed and sent to the aerobics and gymnasium zones for playback in stereo.

Source selectors, controlled by BLU-3 analog remote wall controllers mounted in three parts of the facility (lobby, aerobics room and gym), select the audio source for that particular zone. Facility staff can also use these wall controllers to adjust the audio level (volume) in each of these zones.

By using the Ducker processing object, a true override paging system has been designed that will automatically “duck” the background music (reducing it in level by a prescribed amount), so that announcements can be clearly heard above the level of the music. Upon completion of the announcement, the background music is automatically restored to its previous level. Duckers used in this way allow clear paging, whether the source is a paging microphone or Telco (telephone) interface.


>>>Click here to download the full application guide and sample file.<<<


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Technical Support Team
BSS Audio
8760 South Sandy Parkway
Sandy, UT 84070