All audio design, specification and installation were handled by Polish systems integrators, Gorycki and Sznyterman. They specified a total of 13, 4-channel, two rack space PLM 10000Q systems with Lake Processing on board to power the entire EAW PA system, which comprises over 200 cabinets from eight different EAW and EAW Commercial ranges. The system boasts everything from the powerful KF 750 Series down to the new, compact SMS surface-mount range, and everything in between. According to Lab.gruppen's technical applications specialist, Thomas Vestergaard, who assisted on the project, the sheer size and complexity of the PA system is one of the reasons why PLM is such an advantageous choice.
"This is a big system spread over a large area, much of which is outside and exposed to the elements including humidity from the fountains," noted Vestergaard. "It's a really tough job for the speakers to maintain their high performance levels under these conditions as they will be subject to corrosion and to softening of the cone over time. However, PLM already has the individual 'load Fingerprint' of every loudspeaker in the system saved in its LoadLibrary presets. This means that the PLMs can perform the LoadSmart load verification to ascertain system status in just 20 seconds, providing a green light for a correctly functioning driver, a yellow light for a driver that is starting to change and a red light to indicate that driver performance has dropped below acceptable parameters.
"Another benefit of PLM is SpeakerSafe real time load monitoring," continued Vestergaard. "To make sure the system is 'online' all the time, a pilot tone is installed. The pilot tone runs above the human audible range and gives you the real time status of the speaker line. If there is a problem with a connection somewhere, or a loose cable, the PLMs will locate the problem immediately."
(Jim Evans)
