The installation has been developed in several phases, according to PAS director (and project manager) Brian Lumb. After supplying equipment on a piecemeal basis over the years they have now been tasked with carrying out a complete integration of the spinning and aerobics studios, cardiovascular, weights and reception areas (which are divided into six zones). In the two studios, PAS have specified two identical stand-alone systems, with Wharfedale Twin 12's fed from a Marantz PAC-750 cassette/CD/mixer combo, with Samson compressor/limiting. A Sennheiser Evolution beltpack radio system is also supplied for the aerobics instructors in Studio 2.
In the general Cardiovascular area four Wharfedale Programe 60's are fed by multiple sources, including tuner, CD, Sky satellite input or Rolec hard disk system, while elsewhere 12 Programme 50's are deployed in the Weights and Reception areas and six Programme 52s in some of the workout areas. All routing is carried out by a Cloud Z8 zoner, while a Cloud CPM8 paging mic is positioned at Reception.
The Twin 12's are high-end dual concentric coaxial speakers, which are perfectly matched for the two studios. The Programme range are purpose-built two-way ported foreground/background systems combining styling with high power handling over a wide frequency range in an acoustically-efficient enclosure.
"We have been dealers of Wharfedale for a long time and these are all great-sounding boxes, which are keenly priced," says Lumb. The Programmes are powered by a combination of Yamaha SX250 and SX350, amplifiers, while the Twins are run off Crest CPX 2600's. In the toilet and changing areas Australian Monitor QF8 DCM 120 amplifiers power ceiling speakers. PAS are also installing video, with Sanyo XP55-projected composite video signals distributed to a Perlux high-gain widescreen and to other flat screen monitors, placed strategically around the venue. Roll-in/roll out racks are provided for the independent systems, which can store away when not in use, while the main system is contained in a 42U 19in rack. The sound and video infrastructure are part of a general refurbishment of the entire venue.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
