Bosch solves Bowman Hall reverb issues
Published: ASIA
AUSTRALIA: A Bosch installation comprising Electro-Voice and Dynacord enclosures plus an EV NetMax matrix has been used to solve the problematic acoustics of Bowman Hall, a multipurpose venue in Blacktown, New South Wales. Audio consultant Trevan Johns of Trevan Johns and Associates Pty Ltd designed the system, while Sound on Stage was the contractor.
Bowman Hall is used by Blacktown residents for a broad range of functions including music performances, wedding receptions and business meetings. It is described as a large, reverberant, asymmetric space with low-ceilinged galleries on each side. Towards the northern end of the hall an extension has increased the low-ceilinged area to more that 5m wide.
To provide a solution that both solved the difficult acoustics and presented the hall’s users with an easy-to-operate system, Mr Johns specified a suspended front of house loudspeaker array comprising six Electro-Voice XLD 281 line-array elements with dual EVA XCS-312 cardioid subs. Two Dynacord VL262 loudspeakers have been installed on the proscenium wall for side-fill, located beneath the 38m high bulkhead. Elsewhere, two delay arrays are located either side of the hall, each consisting of two groups of four Dynacord VL62 delay loudspeakers. Spaced equally, they are configured in two delay groups, front and rear.
The FOH array is powered by two Dynacord H5000 amplifiers, two more of which drive the subs, as well as an H2500 amplifier. Delay and side-fill loudspeakers are powered by a single four channel EV CPS4.5 amplifier, while monitor wedges are driven by an H2500.
Ensuring simplicity of operation meanwhile is an 8x8 EV NetMax N8000 networkable digital matrix, controlled by touchscreen and PC. ‘I had to take into account that many hall users are not qualified to control a conventional multi channel mixer based system,’ Mr Johns explained. ‘When a relatively simple system is required, control is by touchscreen, directly accessing the control protocols of the N8000. This screen and its custom built GUI allow even novice users to intuitively operate the system.’
Following the installation, Mr Johns was quick to praise contractor Sound on Stage, commenting: ‘They did a very professional job’. He added: ‘It sounds unbelievably good and the client is absolutely delighted.’