Federal Technologies completes Brighton College install
Published: MEA
UAE: Federal Technologies has completed the system design and construction of the new theatre at Abu Dhabi’s Brighton College. Initially approached by the main consultant AEC, Federal Technologies designed the college’s system with help from distribution company VTI Marketing.
Having previously experienced a good working relationship with VTI, Federal Technologies quickly opted to use the company again having been particularly impressed with its ability to offer a complete system solution. VTI provided trussing, dimming, fixtures, and kit from Martin Audio. Martin Audio’s chief engineer Peter Child presented Federal Technologies with his suggested modelling and EASE data solutions, which was put forward as a base line package for the consultant.
The main audio comprises Martin Audio W8LM mini line array enclosures, with seven cabinets hung each side (six narrow arrays with a seventh downfill), of the stage front in a stereo configuration. Speaking about the company’s decision to go with Martin Audio amps, Federal Technologies’ Daniel Ball said: ‘I’m a firm believer of going with the speaker vendor’s amps where possible. I see a company of the size and calibre of Martin Audio – they’ve got the amps, they’ve got the right loads, and the right power requirement – it seemed logical to me to go with the amps that were engineered alongside of the speakers,’ he explained.
A total of five Martin Audio amps were used, arranged in pairs to break the array down into more amplifier channels to give a better isolation of sound. A BSS Soundweb London series DSP was selected, as well as a Zed series analogue mixing desk from Allen & Heath. The choice to run analogue was kept as the system would be run by students and, as such, the analogue base is a far better learning step for those interested in professional A/V.
Approximately 30 microphones were selected comprising SM57s, SM58s, and Beta models (wired and wireless) from Shure, as well as a selection of shotgun mics from Sennheiser. Meanwhile, a Crestron control system was selected to preset the auditorium between live and fixed performances. Other system elements include a 7.5m motorized video screen run from a Digital Projection Titan projector. Local rack and Stage A/V sources are routed through an Extron matrix and scaling system allowing the auditorium to run video and presenter A/V sources.
The overall contract period was nine months due to a hold-up on-site, which delayed the team by approximately three months. ‘Actual site time would have been no greater than three weeks,’ explained Mr Ball. ‘Our execution was quite quick, we were able to mobilise about 15 people onto the site.
‘I believe for us the project was successful from the beginning,’ continued Mr Ball. ‘We developed a full 3D-based illustration and moving model of the entire facility; making it easy to virtually walk the client through the room and show them the individual items in their proposed locations,’ he explained. ‘Having Martin on board was highly assistive too as their accurate acoustic modelling showed the room acoustically before it was built. Being prepared and having information in a clear and concise means is the key to any project’s success.’