Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego recently received an extensive audio system upgrade performed by Pine Valley, California-based Essex Sound.
The 14,000 square-foot gymnasium and multi-purpose room features a 26-foot ceiling, brick walls and bleacher seating for up to 3500. Looking to improve speech intelligibility for weekly mass while also supporting game night exuberance, Essex tapped into VUE Audiotechnik’s unique ACM technology and specified a hybrid line array configuration the combines both al-4 and al-8 acoustic elements.
“This is a challenging space with a lot of reflective surfaces and a demanding weekly schedule that can go from high energy to very nuanced in a matter of hours,” explains Larry McNamer, owner of Essex Sound. “The PA needed to throw 100-feet to the back wall and also sideways into the bleachers. We also had to cover a second-story walkway behind the bleacher area while avoiding slap off the back wall.”
McNamer’s solution was a hybrid line array system that utilizes VUE’s unique Continuous Source Topology (CSM), which allows different al-Class elements to be combined for improved coverage, sight lines, and weight distribution.
The final design includes left and right arrays each comprised of six al-8 elements above four al-4 subcompact elements for near fill. Three al-8SB flyable subwoofers are flown with each array in a cardioid configuration to minimize low-frequency incursion onto an entry concourse directly behind the clusters. For additional near field coverage down the center of the gym, the Essex team flew a single h-12W high definition two-way loudspeaker.
The PA throws approximately 100 feet to the back wall, as well as covering the main bleacher areas on each side of the gymnasium all the way up to the second story walkway. The al-Class’ predictable and tightly controlled coverage was essential to avoiding the highly reflective brick walls above bleachers. The center h-12W covers the first 30 feet down the middle, while the smaller al-4 elements at the bottom of each array handle near-fill at the far left and right.
Two VUEDrive V4 series and four V6 series systems engines provide power and processing for the arrays and subs as well as full networking via SystemVUE software. Onboard VUEDrive electronics ensure the single h-12W is easily integrated into the overall SystemVUE network. Mix duty comes courtesy of a rack-mounted Behringer X32 Producer, which is easily controlled from anywhere via iPad.
“The sound of the beryllium drivers is extremely clear in the vocal range, which is exactly what the client wanted. Overall the VUE array is much more distinct and detailed than the other name-brand systems I considered for this install. The difference is amazing,” says McNamer. “Our clients were amazed at the overall clarity and power of the system, as was the entire faculty. Whether for a weekly mass or sporting event, the feedback overall has been universally positive.”
“The whole VUE team was incredibly supportive from beginning to end,” concludes McNamer. “Especially Greg Kirkland, who was present from the original demo all the way through commissioning. To date we’ve done three projects with VUE and number four is already underway. I couldn’t be happier. “
