As part of the construction of the new six-floor complex, which incorporates auction rooms, client presentation and hospitality areas and offices. SSE installed a Q-Sys audio routing and management system, based around a Core 250i processor, to distribute and control networked audio and video throughout the building. Several channels of Shure's ULX-D wireless microphone systems have also been installed; these can be linked into the SSE-installed, building-wide Layer 3 audio network. The Shure and QSC equipment was supplied by Shure Distribution UK.
The Berkeley Square building had been Enron's London HQ, but it was completely gutted and reconstructed when Phillips took it over, creating multi-purpose exhibition galleries, auction spaces, and VIP rooms, which are used for private client presentations, dinners and other events. These rooms required sound reinforcement throughout, and HDMI connection points were also designed in throughout the building so that screens can be connected quickly to display video content almost anywhere, and just as swiftly removed.
The Q-Sys system not only routes and controls the audio systems at the new HQ, it also controls the video via the RS232 protocol and a Kramer video switcher. Control over the AV via Q-Sys is maintained via QSC TSC touchscreen control panels situated throughout the building.
"With the flexibility Q-Sys offers, Phillips are now able to set up a wide range of activities in their public spaces with a few minutes' work at one of the touchscreens," explains Emma Bigg, director, SSE Installations. "You can make a speech or give a presentation by simply plugging in a laptop and a microphone into the network and selecting that option on a touchscreen, or plug in a console at one end of a room with a stage box at the other for a large event like a broadcast auction or client event."
The Shure ULX-D wireless systems also simplify sound reinforcement for events, as Emma Bigg continues to explain. "There are two Shure UA864 antennas in each of the two galleries to give wireless coverage, so all the Phillips staff have to do is pick up a wireless handheld microphone, press 'Mic' on a touchscreen and it's routed straight into the building's audio systems.
"There is also a separate ULX-D receiver that is stored with a live console in a rack, so that when they're doing larger live events with the console, the receiver is local to the console and they can use the same radio mics through that receiver, leaving the system more in control of the engineer on the desk."
(Jim Evans)
