The Helen DeVitt Jones Theater, a 2,200-seat multipurpose performance venue at the new Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences in Lubbock, TX, has been outfitted with a main sound reinforcement system utilizing d&b audiotechnik Y-Series loudspeakers in a design by Jaffe Holden (Norwalk CT) and installation by Hairel Enterprises (Conroe, TX).
The new complex will be the future home of Ballet Lubbock, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and Lubbock ISD Visual and Performing Arts, as well as many scheduled dates of the “Buddy Holly Story.” It also has an additional 400-seat theatre, a 5,000-square-foot multi-purpose room and a 22,000-square-foot Dance Center, and further, it will also be utilized as a learning center by the Lubbock Independent School District.
“In March 2020, the site was closed down due to the Covid-19 outbreak. and all work came to a complete stop,” explains Rob Slaughter, Senior Project Manager, Hairel Enterprises. “When construction started back up, the CDC six-foot rule severely impacted the completion of the building. The general contractor (Lee Lewis Construction) and developer (Garfield Public/Private) were very understanding with the delays that have impacted all contractors and have worked with all trades to ensure a safe work environment putting worker safety and health first.”
The d&b Y-Series layout is configured left, center and right, with the left and right arrays utlizing 10 Y8 and two Y12 enclosures joined by dual Y-SUB subwoofers, while the center array is configured with eight Y8 and and three Y12 modules. Depending on the seating arrangement for a specific production five E6 and eight S4 point source loudspeakers, based on the portable pit rail, can be deployed for additional fill needs.
Meanwhile, d&b R1 Remote control software enables the house staff to route and make changes to the system on the fly in order to meet the needs of the preforming artist. “R1 remote software allows the operator to put all the amps in standby mode with the click of one button,” states Kevin Bell, Project Coordinator. “This eliminated the need for a sequenced breaker panel. Using d&b ArrayProcessing presets, the orchestra level can be changed from a sloped floor with seats to an open flat floor without having to re-pin the arrays.
“The venue has three different front fill positions,” Bell continues. “Using R1, the correct front fills delay settings, pending deployed location, can be easily selected. Also, taking advantage of the many versatile R1 functions, the d&b speakers can be checked and logged after each event, or as often as desired, to keep up with driver fatigue, damage or failure.”
d&b ArrayProcessing is designed to improve consistency of tonal balance and level across the listening area. With presets, it can also be utilized to optimize a line array system for different seating configurations
”With the d&b Y Series, the Buddy Holly Hall is equipped with the highest quality and best sounding system in town,” says Jacob Parnell, Audio Production Supervisor. “The system is remarkably transparent and user-friendly, allowing me to move between genres with ease without sacrificing audio quality. With the R1 interface, in conjunction with the Y- Series boxes, it gives me complete peace of mind when I go into a performance. I trust that with this system, the patrons of Buddy Holly Hall will have a great experience. This system makes my job easier, enjoyable and just a whole lot of fun. I love being able to use a system of this caliber on a daily basis, and I am excited to train a younger generation of budding audio engineers on a system like this.”
In addition to the house system, additional Hairel responsibilities on the project included implementing assorted mixing and processing equipment; playback and production equipment; ADA compliant audio systems; a production intercom and paging system; a backstage paging and program system; a lobby program, paging and chime system; technical video distribution system; AV control systems; recording studio AV systems and rehearsal room systems.
