Indiana Wesleyan University’s 350-acre campus is outfitted with the Phillippe Performing Arts Auditorium, where the university hosts a number of concerts, lectures, family camps, and more. Recently, the performance center required an audio overhaul to replace old and outdated microphones and sound equipment.
The school tasked Phil Huber, technical coordinator of sound, lighting, and media group, and interim director, to identify a new microphone system setup. Huber turned to Shure ULX-D digital wireless and installed eight channels with a combination of handhelds and bodypacks.
ULXD4Q quad channel digital wireless receivers, which offer audio quality, RF signal stability, and advanced setup features in a space-efficient rack unit, were integrated into Phillippe Performing Arts Auditorium.
For networked audio applications, the receivers’ Dante digital networking enabled multiple channels of audio over a single Ethernet cable. This feature has been especially helpful for when Huber’s team needed to move the front of house setup from the center’s main floor to its balcony, pending the needs of individual performances. Two Shure UA874 active directional antennas were also installed for improved wireless signal reception. With Shure Wireless Workbench, all wireless microphones can be controlled at the ease of a few clicks.
“When I came to the realization that we needed an upgrade to the auditorium, I knew we’d need a system that would operate more efficiently and replace out-of-date equipment, and upon evaluation, Shure’s ULX-D digital wireless system was a clear choice,” says Huber. “The university’s audio engineers and I were so impressed with the rock solid performance of the system that we opted to double our inventory by adding an additional eight channels of ULX-D to the university’s chapel as well.”
Before ULX-D, the chapel experienced frequent drop outs and RF interference issues. By opting for ULX-D and Wireless Workbench, Huber and his crew can now monitor for interference detection and receive alerts for more optimal spectrum. This ensures solid audio transmission for the facility’s worship services and community development forums.
“What stood out to me about the ULX-D system was its remarkable networkability, scalability, and sound quality,” says Huber. “It is these features that have powered flawless audio for Indiana Wesleyan University.”
