Melrose Center for the Performing Arts
Located within the Melrose Veterans’ Memorial Middle School in Melrose, Massachusetts, the Melrose Center for the Performing Arts hosts school events like plays and musical performances, as well as entertainment events for the wider community. But while aesthetically pleasing, the acoustics of the space have always been challenging. A new sound system was required to maintain the beauty of the space while delivering the powerful audio required by the performances it hosts.
The sound quality, SPL, and frequency response consistency are excellent throughout the audience area.
DAVID BISHOP Pro AV Systems
SOLUTION
The size of Mount Rushmore’s amphitheater presented the greatest challenge for the installation team. “The stage is very wide, as are the rows from front to back. We needed to cover the front rows, yet keep the sound pressure off the stage,” said Steve Foudray, system designer for Haggerty’s Audio Visual in Rapid City, South Dakota. The installation team also needed loudspeakers that could withstand extreme weather. Mount Rushmore receives extensive snowfall and temperatures can dip below zero degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, while July and August have days with highs in the 90s.
“The number one factor at Mount Rushmore was [the desire for] big impressive in-your-face vocal projection, while maintaining smooth musicality,” said Foudray. Many options were considered, but the team chose the WET Series from Biamp’s Community loudspeaker line. The amphitheater’s new system has 20 Community WET315 cabinets on two main towers and two delay towers. According to Foudray, the M200 midrange driver in this cabinet has very impressive voice projection.
Conclusion
In addition to the audio system with digital mixer and both wired and wireless mic systems, Pro AV Systems also designed and installed a large screen video system, with wireless tablet control of both video and audio systems to complete the center’s powerful new audiovisual set-up.
“The new system has given Melrose performing arts audio with the performance, flexibility, and ease of operation required for both school and community events,” Bishop said. “The sound quality, SPL, and frequency response consistency are excellent throughout the audience area."