The Taylor Hall Performing Arts Theater renovation included a top to bottom upgrade of many of the facility systems from a new roof to a complete electrical system. The college removed the existing audio control room equipment and our scope of work was the speaker system upgrade. New Community SLS-series loudspeakers were flown along the left and right proscenium.

A pair of SLS-980 main speakers and two SLS-920 front-fill speakers were installed stage left and right. A custom mount bracket was designed and fabricated at our shop in Montrose for attachment to the ceiling structure. Due to the weight of the speakers (each SLS-980 weighs 290 lbs.) all mounting was engineered to a load rating of 5. Allen Products Z-beam rigging allowed for the proper vertical and horizontal angles to be set for coverage of the auditorium.

The bi-amplified SLS-980’s received new power from a combination of Crown CT and PT Series amplifiers. A CT-410 was installed to power the high frequency and a CT-1610 provides power for the lows. The Crown PT-3 amplifier provides power for the SLS-920 fill speakers. A new Rane RPM-26v multi-processor provides speaker crossover and processing. The RPM26v is a programmable crossover, delay, EQ, and compressor.

A Middle Atlantic Products WRK series equipment rack was installed in the Taylor Hall control room for the new components as well as providing room for the original equipment from the booth that was reinstalled by the college.

In the new Experimental Theater three Whirlwind custom connection panels provide flexible set-up locations, each equipped with eight mic/line inputs, three line returns, and a multi-connector for the stage box. Microphone connections can be made directly to the panel or via the stage box. Two Galaxy PA5X140 self-powered monitors were provided for stage monitoring. The cable from the wall connection panels terminates into Patch bay #1 in the control desk equipment rack. Seven additional microphone connection plates located on the catwalk allow for connection of the Shure MX-202 B/O overhead microphones.

Four channels of Shure UC-series UHF wireless microphones along with its companion antenna distribution system were delivered early for use by the school staff. Mounted in an SKB travel case, the wireless microphones can easily be transported to different venues and patch easily into the Experimental and Taylor Hall systems by the custom patch panels installed on the back of the rack. The Shure UC wireless system is frequency agile for interference free operation and was supplied with WL-185 cardioid lavalier mics.

Recorded programs can be played through the sound system via a Marantz PMD-350 independent CD/Cassette combo deck. Two additional Patch bays in the mix rack allow the operator full routing capabilities from the console location.

A Spirit Folio FX 16 console was installed along with two Rane SPM-26B splitter/mixers for full signal routing capabilities. A pair of Symetrix 501 compressor/limiters provide for signal processing via the FX 16’s insert channels.

System equalization for the speaker system was provided by three Rane ME-15B two-channel graphic EQ’s that feed the power amps. A speaker patch panel allows for the main Community CPL-42-64 speakers (2) to be located at four points on the catwalk. The Crown K-2 series amp provides power for the main speakers. Four Community CPL-23 EFX speakers (see photo) may be placed at any combination of the eight panels located along the catwalk. A QSC CX-404 4-channel power amplifier handles the duties on the EFX speakers with all connections again routed through the speaker patch panel.

A pair of Klipsch HS-2 full-range speakers powered by an Ashly SRA-120 studio reference amp provides control room monitoring.

A new Telex 2-channel intercom system was installed with the main station located in the control room and remote stations in the scene shop, ticket booth, men’s and women’s lockers, dressing room, and green room. Single-gang connection plates were installed at five locations on the catwalk for the supplied Telex BP-2000 belt-pack intercom. Three additional remote wall intercom panels were routed to the Taylor Hall auditorium and the television studio.

A Listen Technologies hearing assist system was installed for the hard of hearing.

The system was supplied with the optional re-charging carrying case and ear speakers for the personal receivers.

Furman PL-Plus and Power Ports provide main rack power sequencing and conditioning. A Middle Atlantic WRK series rack was installed in the Experimental Theater’s control room for the main equipment and an RK-12 houses the control desk equipment.

WSPA Installer Phil Peacock at work on the Experimental Theater Control Desk Rack

In addition to the audio system a camera interface was installed between the television studio and both the Taylor Hall Auditorium and Experimental Theater. Five Camera locations are available in the Experimental Theater and four in Taylor Hall. All camera panels terminate in a Whirlwind custom engraved master panel in the TV studio. Over 1-1/4 miles of Belden cable was installed for the Camera interface.