In the era of global terrorism, clear messaging procedures and fast evacuation of underground facilities are paramount. Thus having won a tender, instigated two years ago and issued by the Comune di Roma (system operators), Edisco turned to a solution from BSS Audio, a Harman International Company (NYSE-HAR).
Realising that the new system had to comply with the EN 60849 emergency/voice alarm standard, Edisco's project manager Gino Fioravanti has deployed 30 x Soundweb London BLU-80 devices - one for each of the 27 networked stations on the line; the remaining three are situated 5km away from the track in the Gallery control rooms, where the audio rack, video rack and fibre optic racks all reside. Programming the DSP gain structure, using HiQnet London Architect couldn't have been easier, he says.
"I am very familiar with the architecture of Soundweb," said Fioravanti. "In the past we have used many SW9088 Soundweb devices but have now moved on to Soundweb London. For me these are the best audio products that exist for the type of work we do, which is to take client requisitions and turn them into solutions. This is because it provides you with the tools to customise your own functions which may not automatically be present in the original Soundweb."
Using basic tools which exist within Soundweb London, simple and elegant solutions for complex applications can be provided. Manual processes such as the changing of levels can be automated, making Soundweb London a powerful component within the audio system.
Fioravanti is particularly impressed by the system's dual-redundant CobraNet networking capacity and enhanced I/O configurability. The deployment of 30 x BLU-80's makes this one of the largest single orders in BSS Audio's history.
While another DSP device had been suggested on the original specification it was the close relationship that Edisco enjoy with BSS Audio's Italian distributors Audio Equipment - and particularly their Rome representative Terio Vespa - that won the day. "We have a good relationship with Mr. Vespa, and as a result, the confidence to use Soundweb on a major project like this."
The system currently runs on copper wire cable but will progressively be upgraded to fibre optic over the next 12 months. "This is brilliant as I can use CobraNet and assign a single IP address for each station," says Fioravanti.
When fully commissioned the CobraNet system will operate as a 32-in/32-out system, taking feeds from local microphones, recorded voice announcements and background music, with priority protocols set in Soundweb. Channels are also dedicated to the intercom and 20kHz tone generator, allowing them to monitor, and compensate for, the ambient noise.
"I use Soundweb London's input logic to test the status of the line and use the station mics to check the audio for level control. Via the noise generator I can see the levels at every station registering on the meters," says the installer.
With the entire system CobraNet-compatible Soundweb London can also be used to fault log and carry out system diagnostics.
"BSS Audio has been important in creating this solution," says Fioravanti. "It's great to be able to send (and return) 32 channels of audio, but it means we can also change the configuration now simply from a computer - without the need to touch or see."
(Chris Henry)
