Electro-Voice and Dynacord sound system scores high intelligibility for high school gym expansion

• OES Scoreboards consulted with Electro-Voice and Dynacord to design a system to deliver outstanding intelligibility and high-impact music reproduction
  Solution includes EVF and EVH loudspeakers driven by C series amplifiersConfiguration, control, DSP and monitoring streamlined via new-version SONICUE 1.1 sound system software
• When North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas recently expanded its basketball gymnasium – adding 700 seats to reach a total capacity of 2000 – they engaged OES Scoreboards for installation of a new video scoreboard system.

During the process, Colby Howerton, southwest regional sales representative for OES Scoreboards and installation contractor on the project, realized that the existing sound system would not be adequate for the new, much larger space. Howerton consulted with Electro-Voice/Dynacord regional sales manager Ron Grant and completed a new system design offering an optimal combination of sound quality, control and value – including the latest version of Dynacord’s SONICUE sound system software.

The new system at North Crowley uses a combination of EVH horn-loaded and EVF front-loaded loudspeaker models in a white EVCoat finish. Nine EVF-1122S/66 and three EVH-1152S/64 boxes provide the primary coverage, supported by three EVF-2151D dual-15” subwoofers. All of the above are flown, using EV rigging accessories, also in white. The system is powered by seven Dynacord C3600FDi power amplifiers controlled via SONICUE. The purchase was handled through Irving, Texas-based Sound Productions.

SONICUE’s unique interactive design provides a clear and complete system overview, making it quicker to set up, tune and operate sound systems with minimal effort. Version 1.1 includes an extensive firmware upgrade that expands the DSP capabilities of Dynacord C (install) and L series (live sound) two-channel amps with advanced FIR-Drive and other high-end performance features. This gives users the same level of input flexibility and processing power as found in Dynacord’s flagship IPX and TGX models. In addition, it includes a comprehensive update to its Electro-Voice loudspeaker settings library.

“SONICUE gives us full remote control of the sound system,” notes Howerton. “The amps all connect to a basic USB hub, where we plug in a laptop with SONICUE. The amps have FIR-Drive and DSP, and the software has all the EV speaker files to optimize performance, addressing each speaker individually or in groups. I love that all the processing is taken care of without a separate DSP unit.”

The new system addresses the challenge of intelligibility in the highly reverberant gym, much to the delight of North Crowley’s staff, students and fans. “With their old system, it was always hard to understand the announcer, and the seating expansion just made it worse,” says Howerton. “With this new system, that problem is gone. SONICUE made it easy to get very even coverage, left to right, top to bottom, which really helped with intelligibility. Our client noticed right away and loved it. They are super happy with the new system. Not only did this show how a good system can help tame a reverberant gym, but we were also very impressed with SONICUE. Add to that the outstanding factory support we received, and it was easy to see how offering EV and Dynacord can add value for our customers.”