Ascot Racecourse
It’s hard to think of another sport in which commentary is so important. The call of a million-dollar Group One horse race is beyond crucial. Which is to say, to understand the installed audio setup of Ascot Racecourse, it’s important to also understand the importance of the race call. Every zone, every loudspeaker takes the race call — fortunes are won and lost, and the call not only provides in-the-moment specifics, it’s crucial to the atmosphere.
“After a photo-finish race the silence in the stands is deafening,” explains Jessie Ash, AV Manager at Ascot Racecourse. “And 20,000 people are waiting for the announcement on the adjudication. Or, if it’s a close race, the noise down the home straight is deafening. The excitement is off the hook, and a lot of that excitement is whipped up by the call. The call is everything.”
“The old audio system was an absolute nightmare,” recalls Ash. “Heavy amps, interference, overheating, and frequent breakdowns. It was frustrating and outdated.”
Solution by Integrate Perth
Enter Integrate Perth with a game-changing proposition: the Tesira DSP platform from Biamp. Andrew Anderson-King, Sales Director at Integrate Perth, explains the rationale: “The legacy system required two technicians with programming skills for every adjustment – one for audio DSP and another for control. It was time-consuming and costly. Tesira, with its unified platform for audio processing and control, streamlined everything. Plus, Tesira Canvas software offers an intuitive interface that’s simple for staff to operate.”
The flexibility of the Tesira system meant Ascot Racecourse could finally transition into a user friendly version of the digital era. With its AVB and Dante compatibility, alongside analogue input options, the system proved its adaptability across Ascot Racecourse’s sprawling campus.
“The Canvas software from Biamp is like the friendly public face of Tesira,” said Anderson-King. “For starters, it’s free of charge – no license fee. It mirrors the Tesira configuration and makes operation straightforward. Staff can activate presets to adjust zones or configurations with a single button press.”
For Ascot Racecourse, this means staff can tailor the sound across the grandstand, restaurants, outdoor decks, and picnic areas with ease.
“The presets are a game-changer,” said Ash. “On race days, our operators manage everything via a controller. It’s so intuitive that we’ve cut down the learning curve for staff.”
Ascot Racecourse comprises dozens of buildings and venues indoors and out. There are some 50 audio zones in all.
“The Tesira server handles all inputs – microphones, music, race calls – and routes them to specific zones via amplifiers,” Anderson-King explains. “Whether it’s addressing the excited buzz of the balconies or the quieter members’ lounges, we can adjust the audio to suit each space.”
The Biamp system is the unsung hero of the Ascot Racecourse experience. It ensures every call and every announcement is heard clearly, creating an atmosphere that’s unmatched. It’s more than audio — it’s the heartbeat of our venue.
JESSIE ASH
AV Manager
Ascot Racecourse
Key to the local control are the TEC-1 wall panels from Biamp. The ‘press and turn’ based interface is instantly familiar, allowing staff or visiting AV event techs to select a source and adjust volume.
Said Ash, “The Biamp TEC-1 wall panels are futuristic looking yet simple, giving staff zone-specific control. It’s the perfect balance of cutting-edge and user friendly.”
While paging wasn’t Ascot Racecourse’s primary focus, it’s a feature they’re glad to have. “The Biamp Tesira system offers configurable paging with priority levels,” says Anderson-King. “You can broadcast venue-wide or target specific areas. For urgent announcements or operational updates, it’s invaluable.”
Conclusion
Ascot Racecourse’s AV infrastructure is now rock solid and built to evolve. “The expandability of Tesira ensures we can adapt as our needs change,” says Ash.
And the verdict on race day?
“The Biamp system is the unsung hero of the Ascot Racecourse experience,” Jessie Ash concludes. “It ensures every call and every announcement is heard clearly, creating an atmosphere that’s unmatched. It’s more than audio – it’s the heartbeat of our venue.”
