CBC Technical, Inc. (Murrieta, Calif.) worked closely with Buck Tallman and Dave Brown from Quantum to design and install an extensive Electro-Voice sound system to provide high-resolution sound for the SOAR’s atmospheric soundscapes. Chris Batchelor, Sales Manager for CBC, comments:

“We’ve been supporting summer shows at the San Diego Zoo on a rental basis for the last few years with a system built around an Electro-Voice XLD compact line-array system. This year the producer of this new, permanent show asked me to put together a system that could provide sound from any point around the audience. Using a range of EV products, including weatherproofed Zx and Sx series loudspeakers, we took a different approach this year, designing what is basically a 7.1 surround sound system, a system that can direct sound anywhere, immersing the audience in the sounds of birds flying overhead. There’s even a scene in the show where the whole forest venue catches on fire – the flames start off in the distance and end up wrapping around the entire audience – it looks and sounds like you’re in the middle of a forest fire. There’s also thunder, lightning, and all sorts of other great effects, and we needed a system with the sonic ability to create a believable experience.”

During the summer months of its 17-month run, SOAR will perform two daytime shows and one at night, and will continue during the Zoo’s daytime hours as the show runs through the fall, winter, and spring. For a system to withstand the rigors of daily outdoor use for 17 months, the system needed to combine sturdiness, low-profile aesthetics, and excellent audio quality. The system at Hunte features Zx5 main loudspeakers, Zx1 front-fills, and Xsub and Sx600 loudspeakers as delays. Batchelor described how the CBC team arrived at the EV spec for the show:

“The priority for this installation was to make it seem like the technology wasn’t there so we could maintain as natural-feeling an environment as possible – a large, intrusive, technology-heavy install would’ve destroyed the ambience of venue. In addition to being low-profile, everything needed to be weatherproof, so we used the “PI” versions of the Zx and Sx boxes. The main Zx5 boxes flown in the trees surrounding the stage are in three-over-three clusters, and cover the amphitheater. Because the space is so steep, we added Zx1 front-fills to cover the near field seats. In addition, the Xsubs – two on each side – provide more low end than the venue is ever going to need! They definitely rumble when the thunder rolls through!”

“The boxes that surprised me the most are the Sx600 dual 12” / single enclosure line array boxes. We’d never used them before, and they offer a surprising amount of low-end sound for a 12” sub, and I was actually surprised with how much clean, high SPL they deliver. I can tell now why they’re popular for outdoor venues like this. And again, the Sx600s are the PI weatherized versions, because we wanted to make sure everything would run for at least 17 months without a problem. That said, we built-in either redundancy or full-time monitoring across the entire system.”

The system also includes two N8000-1500s digital matrix controllers, one primary and the other a backup, and 10 CPS 4.10 amplifiers running RCM-810 remote-control DSP modules, monitoring all system components to alert engineers before system glitches become real problems.

“This is a busy entertainment venue,” Batchelor adds, “and the entire system needs to run three to four times a day without any glitches; we’ve taken all the necessary precautions to ensure that’s the case. In addition to their remote control functionality, the CPS 4.10 amplifiers sound incredible, too. Plus their compact size allows us to fit this entire system into 24 rack spaces. That’s with 40 amplifiers! The power to footprint ratio is amazing. And all the amplifiers are also being load- and component-monitored, which makes this all even more impressive.”

The EV system at Hunte Amphitheater extends backstage, where CBC installed strategically placed compact, surface-mounted EVID 4.2 and EVID 3.2 loudspeakers, ensuring every behind-the-scenes bird handler and trainer doesn’t miss a cue. “This show is driven by music and video content,” says Batchelor, “so it’s very difficult to stop if someone falls behind. The EVIDs help everyone, regardless of where they are in the venue, to stay caught up.”

NEI, the San Diego Zoo, and SOAR’s producers are very pleased with the new system. Show Producer Steve Martin comments: “The sound system CBC Technical installed in our amphitheater exceeded my expectations. The quality of the sound is incredible … more like something I would imagine in an expensive indoor venue rather than our outdoor amphitheater. The speakers blend nicely in our natural setting and the 7.1 surround sound pinpoints our audio effects with precision that has all heads turning in unison. I couldn’t be happier with the quality of the system and level of support we have received from CBC Technical.”

Lisa Passamonte Green of Visual Terrain, Technical Director for the production, added: “CBC Technical was a valued member of the team and Visual Terrain enjoyed their collaborative spirit throughout the entire process. CBC was extremely proactive and ready to tackle every issue as they arose.”

“We expect the same quality that we get from every piece of EV equipment we install,” adds Batchelor, “but we were just amazed by how little adjustment we had to do to the system in this venue once it was installed. Minimal EQ tweaking was required, which is often the case with our EV gear; inherently good sound quality not only makes our jobs easier, it keeps our customers happy!”

Crossword’s new sanctuary system comprises five Phoenix PX2152 boxes in a flown left-center-right configuration (including a central cluster of three) with two Phoenix PX2181 subs on the ground at stage left and right, with Dynacord VL262s compact double-six-inch, two-way loudspeakers as delays. The system is powered by EV’s CP4000S amplifiers. Chris Batchelor, Sales Manager for CBC, comments:

“This is a Gospel church, and the system they had in there could not keep up with the volume they required. We came to the conclusion that Phoenix was the best option to get the SPL that the church was looking for, with dual drivers on each horn, and massive power handling woofers. They like the service to be in-your-face and get-up-and-go, and that’s exactly what they got!”

Crossword Christian also got extra sound, in the form of two Sx500 loudspeakers and a pair of Sb122 subs, for its courtyard, which functions as an overflow area for the large congregation.

“They have such a large congregation that they can’t even fit everyone inside the sanctuary,” says Batchelor. “So we had to put another system out in their outdoor courtyard. Each product we used outside was the weatherproof ‘PI’ version, driven through a DC-One speaker processor and powered by the new CPS 4.10 amplifiers. In a different room that functions as a multi-purpose space and another overflow room, we put in a pair of Zx3 loudspeakers and a QRx118S sub. And after that, we reinforced the church’s children’s wing with EVID 8.2 ceiling speakers, so they could play music down there. We’ve really put EV everywhere in this church, and the whole church looks and sounds better than ever.”

After putting their new system through its first weekend, Crossword couldn’t be more pleased with the results of their upgrade. Batchelor comments:

“The church’s first service was last Sunday, and the sound quality was amazing – it’s ridiculous how much clean SPL those PX boxes deliver. There’s more power in that system than I think they’ll ever need, which gives them plenty of headroom and plenty of lift for their music. They used to blow up the tweeters in their original system, but I don’t think they’ll be able to get near that with this new rig. It’s nice to be able to match products with the performance and style of a particular venue; we did that, and everyone at Crossword is very happy.”

Monte

“This is an input to output EV system that balances excellent audio performance with great value. The ZX5s look and sound great and have plenty of power handling. We configured them so the center two boxes were paired and the outer two boxes were paired – the gym pretty much has just a mono system, which is great for all the vocal activities they do in the space like speeches, lectures, meetings, and announcements – your normal high school gym activities. It’s a simple setup with high-grade components – worry free and built to last.” The EV equipment replaces a 70-volt system that had been used in the gym for 20 years.

“Monte Vista is amazed by the difference,” adds Batchelor. “When they heard the warm, rounded sound it absolutely floored them – the intelligibility and coverage is excellent.”

Truss was provided from Global Truss. Installation was very easy, even within the compact space of this small office building. In addition, Global’s unique line of truss furniture was a perfect match to complete the look of the set. The client was thrilled beyond their expectations, saying: “It actually looks like a real studio.”

The Par 36 LED from American DJ allows great flexibility in changing the mood of the set. LED truss warmers were placed at every junction to really make the set shine. Their compact size and beam angle provided excellent coverage of the truss without spilling onto the rest of the set.

One of the challenges of turning a small office space into a television studio is the huge amount of power usually required for professional studio lighting. Along with the problem of  finding sufficient power was the amount of heat that typical studio fixtures give off. They simply would not work in a small space such as this. CBC overcame this challenge with Elation’s Design LED 36WA. The high output LEDs ran cool using hardly any power. They also gave the advantage of having remotely adjustable color temperature and intensity.

Bringing everything together was a Scene Setter controller from Elation and dmx cable from Accu-Cable. The Scene Setter’s flexibility and ease of use was unmatched by any controller in its price range.

More Pictures:

Working within a shortened time-frame, the professionals at CBC Technical were able to get the gear in-house, assembled into a turnkey system, programmed, tested and delivered in just a few days. The internal power supply of the antenna and power distribution systems (APD4+) allowed the rack to be kept clear of bulky power supplies. A Horizon 12 channel snake was provided for easy hookup and to eliminate the need for casual access to the back of the rack eliminating accidental hookup errors.

Complete Gear List:

• 12 EV RE2 UHF Wireless Systems with RE97 (RE2-E-Beige)
• 4 EV Antenna & Power Distribution Systems (APD4+)
• 2 EV ALP-450 Directional log periodic antennas
• Furman Power Conditioning (PL8 II)
• Horizon 12 channel, 20 ft. snake (HMT12-20)
• Road Ready 12U Rack & Caster Kit (RR12UAD & RRWAD)

The Dancers’ Studio offers professional dance training in a professional facility and caring environment.

CBC Technical provides pro audio and lighting equipment to customers around the nation from Murrieta, California. Handling sales, rentals and production CBC is poised to meet the diverse needs of customers. CBC represents some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry including the Bosch Family of brands (Electro-Voice, Midas, Klark-Teknik).

CBC Technical was pleased to be offered the opportunity to build sound, lighting and video systems for the Grand Tradition. CBC already had a good understanding of the requirements for Arbor Terrace from working with the Grand Tradition for nearly a decade, but still spent the time to ensure that the installed systems would met or exceed requirements and expectations. Systems were needed for both the wedding site and the pavilion and eventually will include background music and paging applications throughout the expansive gardens. CBC designed the systems with ease of setup and integration with other on site systems in mind allowing for redundancy and ease of training on site staff.

The wedding/waterfall location consists of two Electro-Voice ZX1i-90 speakers permanently installed and one SbA 760+ powered subwoofer. An audio snake along with speaker cable and power was installed in weatherproof boxes to keep the setup simple and the area as free as possible from cable clutter. In addition to meeting the needs of in house audio crews, the snake was designed with outside vendors in mind as well, allowing videographers to route microphones through underground cabling and get a feed from the house console in convenient locations.

Front of house is stocked with a Soundcraft GB8 24 channel audio console to provide ample aux sends for IEM systems for the live keyboardist as well as other musicians and singers as needed. Processing is done through an Ashly Protea System II 4.24G 4 Ch graphic EQ/processor, although the actual system is largely unprocessed. Playback is provided through Denon DN-C635 and DN-C615 CD/MP3 players. A TC Electronic M-One XL provides FX as needed. An Ashly PE 2400 Amplifier powers the ZX1’s. Shure’s UHF-R wireless systems are used for lavaliere microphones on the officiant as well as the groom (or other speakers) as well as Beta 87A handhelds for other performers. A live keyboardist typically plays a Roland RD-500, although brides are able to provide other sources of accompaniment such as string quartets or provide all the music on CD.

The pavilion has four EV ZX1i-90w speakers flown to provide even coverage throughout the venue. There is independent control of front and rear speakers to allow greater sound output at the dance floor than at the rear of the room, although reception DJ’s are required to bring their own speakers. While the zx1’s have impressive low end for a single 8” LF, they can be supplemented by the Sba760 powered subwoofer when extra low end is needed. The pavilion also features a Sanyo PLC-XP51 4000 lumen XGA video projector and Da-Lite 150” diagonal screen for video montages, computer (PowerPoint/Keynote) presentations and Satellite TV. Typically, a small rack consisting of a Denon DN-V200 DVD player, Ashly MX-406 Mixer and QSC RMX2450 amplifier powers the pavilion system, although the larger FOH rack can be used when extra inputs or processing are required. Also provided in the pavilion are 8 Elation Opti Par lighting fixtures to allow the pavilion to be washed in colors to correspond with the event.