As part of the renovation, Eastern upgraded their stadium sound system with Community R-Series, WET Series and iBOX loudspeakers. The stadium previously had four Community R-Series model R2-474 loudspeakers on light poles - two at both ends of the home team bleachers. JD Sound and Video refurbished these, added Polar Focus brackets and re-aimed the R2s for better coverage. JD then added a pair of WET Series W2-218s on the press box to cover the home-team bleachers and delayed the original R2s to avoid artificial echoes.
JD also added an R2-52 on the press box aimed to cover the visiting team bleachers. For Eastern's pep rallies and special events, JD added a pair of weatherized Community iBOX dual 15-inch i215 subwoofers. These were installed under the bleachers and provide low-frequency support for the entire field.
"The original system was better than most high school sound systems," said Joe DiSabatino of JD Sound and Video. "But, now, the coverage is improved and the students love the subwoofers. You can really feel the music."
Electronics are located in the press box and include a Rane mixer, Shure wireless microphone system and Crown amplifiers. JD installed a Community dSPEC DSP Loudspeaker Processor for equalization, delay and loudspeaker optimization. In addition, JD added an iPod/iPhone input at trackside with a microphone input, volume control and key switch. For practices or simple events, this setup allows coaches or students to operate the system without accessing the main controls in the press box.
Phil Smart, Eastern's vice-principal of athletics, says the upgraded sound system is better than many college stadium systems. He also noted that JD Sound and Video was able to aim the loudspeakers to cover the bleachers and field while limiting the spill into the adjacent neighbourhoods. "The new system makes it sound like my announcers went to articulation training," he said. "The sound is awesome - we're the envy of South Jersey."
(Jim Evans)
