Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO. has a new 500-seat stadium with all of the modern amenities, including synthetic turf, regulation lighting, training facilities, a press box, concessions, and sound reinforcement system. Local A/V integration firm and low-voltage specialists Total Electronics Contracting designed and installed the sound system, which centers on a two-rack space, Ashly ne8250.70PE eight-channel 250W network amplifier with integrated Protea DSP. Users can make volume adjustments with an Ashly FR-8 remote fader bank, which relays their changes to the customized Protea DSP.
“The team officials had a lot of complaints about the sound system at their old ‘home’ field, which was a ten minute drive from campus,” said Nate Pugh, A/V specialist with Total Electronics Contracting. “It was small and tinny-sounding, but nevertheless managed to blow fans’ heads off without managing to get sound to the field. Of course, they were on a tight budget, and there were serious space limitations. The Ashly ne8250.70PE was the perfect solution. In just two rack spaces we could get all of the DSP and amplification we needed, and Ashly’s reliability is fantastic. Despite all its high-quality features, Ashly’s price point is very competitive. The ne8250.70PE gave us a big bang for the buck.”
Inputs to the system include a Shure press-to-talk microphone, a Shure SLX-Series wireless microphone, and a Tascam CD player with integrated Bluetooth and a built-in iPod dock. A Furman sequencer conditions the system. Despite limited load ratings on the lighting poles, Pugh was able to arrange four Community R.25 and two Community R.5HP loudspeakers to provide coverage of the stands and the field. JBL contractor-series ceiling speakers provide coverage for indoor areas. The Ashly ne8250.70PE fits under the desk in the press box, and it is currently using seven of its eight amplifier channels.
“The FR-8 is one of the features that has sold me on Ashly,” said Pugh. “It’s the only interface that I’ve found that gives the user the feel of a mixer – without actually requiring a mixer. At MSSU, I simply labeled the inputs and the master fader. They can mute inputs and adjust volumes as needed. It’s so simple that anyone can use it, even without training. It’s easy and reliable.”