White ParaMedics and BSS Soundweb units in the control room, along with some QSC amplifiers.

Definitely a load of loudspeakers in this system.

Dual BSS Soundweb units handle these duties with respect to subsidiary areas such as concourses, gates, etc., and they also provide routing of a variety of sources, including PA, radio, television and other patchable inputs. All parameters were established by the design and installation team and are password protected to prevent unauthorized tampering.

Virtually all operator functions can be achieved on the 32-channel Soundcraft K2 console in the system control room, located with press facilities on the upper deck. Power to all loudspeakers is supplied by QSC Audio amplifiers, primarily concentrated at two remote locations in the stadium and outfitted with the company’s with QSControl for remote monitoring and control.

Semi-Distributed At Shea Stadium

For 20 years, Norcon Communications of Inwood, Long Island, has worked with Shea Stadium (home of MLB New York Mets), providing maintenance, speaker checkout and amplifier pre-season checks for twenty years. The 45-year-old firm provides audio-visual design/build services, fire alarm, CCTV/security and other audiovisual services to the New York area. They work primarily with New York’s Local No.3 Electricians Union to facilitate installs.

According to Michael Castellani, project manager with Norcon and resident audio engineer at Shea, the former sound system was installed in 1988, relying primarily upon a central cluster located beyond the center field bleachers. However, this was (and still is) supported by mid/high horns and drivers that bolster programming to shadowed areas of the main grandstand. Thus, we’ll term this system “semi-distributed” in nature.

Aerial view of Shea Stadium in New York, where a new cluster supplies the majority of coverage.

This past season, the Mets rented a higher-powered system for the 2000 World Series, and it was placed on scaffold behind the center field fence. The temporary full-bandwidth system made a big impact with an overwhelmingly positive response from fans and press alike and led to plans for a new system for the current season.