Following analysis, it was concluded that the only way the hotel could ensure absolute control of the noise within its largest exhibition hall was to install a house PA system. Future calculations for sound isolation within the structure could then be based on a known and predictable system with built-in limiting to ensure maximum permissible levels would not be exceeded. "A house system with a gentle compression that only comes in when it is needed is an elegant solution," says acoustic consultant Richard Vivian of Big Sky Audio. "Not only can we control the maximum level, we can control the room interaction (all the speaker positions are fixed and mechanically isolated), and we can be sympathetic to the structure's behaviour by using subtle EQ that does not detract significantly from the system performance, but also does not cause the neighbours to complain."
The equipment needed to be installed within strict time constraints imposed by Hilton. System installer Craig Wiggins of Xtreme AV specified ElectroVoice RXH212 loudspeakers for this project. "The brief was for a compact high-power box, operating from six positions to cover the whole of the floor area in a very large room. I have used EV's RXs before and have been very pleased with the results. The rotatable horn offers very useable coverage pattern and the box is easy to fly without having to resort to bulky flyware."
(Lee Baldock)
