In 2016, systems integrator Shadowbox Design Management installed a Symetrix Prism 12×12 digital signal processor at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains, NY as the heart of a public address/reinforcement system with four main zones — the main synagogue, chapel, multifunction room, and library.
In the spring of 2020, the global pandemic imposed new rules and restrictions on how the synagogue could utilize its floor space and ultimately resulted in a mandatory halt in services and activities. As a result, leaders of Bet Am Shalom reached out to Shadowbox to find a way to upgrade the audio system throughout the facility so the synagogue could continue their services while following the new CDC guidelines. Specifically, they needed to expand the system’s ability to combine the spaces and route audio from anywhere on demand.
With the Symetrix Prism 12×12 already in place, the necessary functionality for additional audio routing within and between common spaces was already built into the system. Relatively minor tweaks to the system’s existing SymVue page needed to be made, labeled, and written to a Windows touchscreen. SymVue by Symetrix is a system control GUI authoring tool available as part of the Symetrix Composer software package.
Via the SymVue GUI authoring tool, buttons were added to the system control screen so that a user could recall presets for room combining, simplifying the task of adding or subtracting primary and overflow spaces for any type of service or function.
Shadowbox then automated certain routing options by deploying the Symetrix Remote Event Scheduler functionality in the Symetrix Composer software package. With the Event Scheduler, users can schedule changes in system settings, such as audio switching of one or more local microphones to Internet streaming services. This allows facility managers to concentrate on more immediate aspects of the production and not worry about recalling presets to start and stop web stream audio broadcasts. Once scheduled, these events happen on time and in the background.
The adjustments to the system allowed volunteers and staff to concentrate on their preparations for events, services, and activities without needing to configure the audio system. Scheduling events happen with to-the-minute accuracy and rooms simply take on the desired functionality at the appropriate time.
“They’re still discovering how much capacity and functionality has been built into the system,” states Joseph Ondrek, Vice President of Shadowbox. “The improved sound and capabilities of the system is very appreciated by Bet Am Shalom. The high quality of the audio, at a great price point, is one of the reasons why we use Symetrix and the customer support has always been fantastic. We’re always looking for custom solutions for our clients’ needs, and the Symetrix staff have always been there to help out when we can’t figure out a solution on our own.”
