The grandstand not only features a 4500-capacity amphitheatre surrounding the Theatre of the Horse parade ring, but eight new restaurant and dining spaces, and four undercover terraces on each level facing west over the Theatre of the Horse.
Brookfield Multiplex chose The P.A People to deliver the networked television distribution and audio systems. Required acoustic performance criteria for each space and an indicative number of zones were nominated, along with an overview of functional requirements and environmental constraints. A 1000 port Ethernet network specifically designed to support both the IPTV and networked audio systems was also required.
The majority of the networked audio system comprises products from US group Harman. Over 1,000 individual JBL loudspeakers across ten different models, 80 Crown amplifiers and 12 BSS networked digital signal processing engines - form the backbone of the system.
The roof area was catered to by JBL AE Series AM7000 models designed specifically for the installation market.
"We've used them previously on a variety of large scale venues and they were certainly appropriate for this project," commented Josh Jones, The P.A People's project manager. "They gave us the coverage and SPL level that we needed right up to the side of the racetrack. On the inside we used mostly the JBL Control 47LP and Control 47HC ceiling speakers for the corporate suites, ballrooms and dining areas. These speakers really hold their own under load; they are our reliable choice."
The ground floor where the main betting auditorium and general public concourse is located, has no ceiling and so it was decided to use the JBL Control 67 P/T pendant speakers which blend into their surroundings.
"Not only are they aesthetically successful they provide us with enough power to get above an excited race crowd!" added Josh. "They were the only choice; brilliant performance. Amenities areas and some of the smaller concourses are taken care of by JBL 24CTM and 26CT ceiling speakers which always give us clear and consistent coverage."
The Theatre of the Horse features JBL CBT 100LA which feature Constant Beamwidth Technology and provide the directivity required to cover the venue without blasting audio at the horses themselves.
"We needed a line array speaker that would give us defined beam control and simultaneously cover five tiers of standing area," explained Josh. "We went with a ring of CBT 100LA's and they cover the theatre beautifully and to my knowledge, they haven't scared a horse yet! Their profile and colour fit perfectly with the white horse rail; they blend in and almost disappear."
Soundweb London BSS was distributed around eight different rack/amplifier rooms, managing audio distribution throughout the venue whilst also providing enough DSP to cover the many delays, EQ's and other processing required for a cohesive sound system.
"With five levels of tiered seating we needed to make sure that everyone could hear the same thing at the same time," said Josh. "The distribution of BSS gave us more than enough DSP for proper timing and frequency response, and we achieved a good overall sound."
Operating on its own dedicated HP Procurve Ethernet network, The P.A. People believe the facilities in the new Royal Randwick grandstand represent the largest integrated networked AV system in Australia.
(Jim Evans)
