Renkus-Heinz IC Live System Selected For University of Wisconsin’s Young Auditorium

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Irvin L. Young Auditorium recently received an audio makeover that included the very first installation of an IC Live system utilizing the new ICL-R three-tall “triple” arrays.

As Scott Leonard of Wauwatosa, WI-based Professional Audio Designs explains, audio for the 1300-seat hall offered some unique design challenges.

“The balcony is steeply raked, giving it quite a bit of height to the seats at the rear wall,” he says.

“We needed to design a system with a balcony delay but also provide a reference to the stage for localization.”

Having previously worked with the IC Live system at Iowa’s Luther College Center for Faith and Life, Leonard knew what the system was capable of in terms of fidelity, power and control.

It didn’t take much to convince David Nees, the Young Auditorium’s Technical Director. “I brought David to the NAMM Show in Anaheim,” he says.

Renkus-Heinz had an IC Live system installed on a live performance stage in the Convention Center lobby, and at an outdoor stage. David was able to listen to a variety of different bands performing through the systems in diametrically different acoustic environments.”

“He was really impressed with the amount of sound coming from such a small system. We even were able to ride up an escalator outside and listen to the smooth vertical coverage control.”

To address the Young Auditorium’s coverage requirements, Leonard contacted Ralph Heinz, Renkus-Heinz Senior Vice President.

“I called Ralph and asked him if there was a way to configure the IC Live with a third ICL-R array for both increased output and low frequency control,” he explains, “this would also increase artist acceptance and reduce the amount of rental systems needed.”

The full system includes two ICL-R triple stacks mounted left and right of the proscenium, along with an additional dual ICL-R system mounted behind a lighting catwalk for over-balcony delay. Four PN212 subwoofers provide low frequency coverage.

“I decided to leave the high frequency section in the top box and flip it around so that the high frequency section would be its own controllable element at the top, and not part of the main steerable array. “

The IC Live’s compact size proved to be a major asset for the hall’s wide and varied program.

“The hall has quite a narrow proscenium opening and they had originally been considering a traditional line array,” says Leonard, “but that would mean that any time a major touring act came through with their own system, they’d have to take down the existing arrays first.”

“With the IC Live, they can leave the system in place. It saves a lot of time and labor, not to mention wear and tear on the system. Another advantage is that it gives them a wider stage to work with and improves sightlines for the audience”

Leonard was also particularly pleased with the opportunity to present Renkus-Heinz with an untried challenge, and the responsiveness of the company’s engineers.

“I love the fact that Renkus-Heinz, as an American company, is so accessible,” he says. “I can call them and speak directly to Ralph with an idea for a product or an improvement, and they have the passion to try and make it work.”

“How many companies can you call and get through to one of the guys whose name is on the speakers? I like that kind of support.”

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Renkus-Heinz Website

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