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FACTFILE Project Name: CHRIST Kengeri Campus Auditorium Project Location: Bangalore, India Project Segment: Education Key AV Brand: Adamson speakers |
Born out of the futuristic vision of St Kuriakose Elias Chavara, an educationalist and social reformer of 19th century South India, CHRIST (deemed to be University) was established as ‘Christ College’ in Bangalore in 1969. A vision that began with St Kuriakose founding the first Catholic indigenous congregation called Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) in 1831, has seen many a lights illuminating the social spectrum in the region.
Since its establishment, the institution characterized path-breaking initiatives in higher education coupled with disciplined academic environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure boasting technology sophistication. Having been accorded the status of ‘Deemed to be University,’ standing on the acclaimed credentials, Christ College today manages three campuses in Bengaluru, (one each at Bannerghatta, Yeshwanthpur and Kengeri) apart from one each at Lavassa in Pune and Delhi.
One of the latest initiatives of the institution has been to transform the otherwise plush open-air auditorium into a new, sophisticated ambience of state-of-the-art audio architecture. The prime stakeholders of the prided project included Digiann Solutions who designed and integrated the set-up, and SategeMix Technologies who distributed the entire solution featuring feature industry leading line-array loudspeaker system from Adamson, and amplification from Lab.gruppen.
“The college management at CHRIST approached us asking for revamping the existing audio system at their Kengeri campus’ auditorium,” informs Jacob of Digiann Solutions who rendered consultancy for the design. “Following multiple combinations of systems, we figured out large format E-Series line array from Adamson,” he explains. “StageMix provided us with simulations using Adamson’s Blueprint software along with CAD layouts and schematics, and that helped us calculate the optimal speaker positions and rigging points required.”
The new sound architecture at Kengeri campus’ 4000-seater open-air auditorium features a main stereo hang of six units of the E12 line array cabinets, supported by three units of the E119 subwoofers flown behind the main PA system on each side for optimal coverage of the audience area. At the same time, six units of the IS7px point source speakers have been deployed as center fills, which are supplemented by IS219 dual 19-inch subwoofers placed under the stage, along with multiple CS10p self-powered loudspeakers that act as delays. The entire loudspeaker system at the auditorium is powered by multiple units of Lab.gruppen’s D200:4L amplification.
The first event at the auditorium with the new Adamson sound system proved to be a real treat for the entire audience, who, understandably, were mesmerized by an absolute pristine soundscape– the likes of which they hadn’t experienced before at the venue.
Rev. Fr. Jiby, Director of the Institution, speaks about the event with a sense of elation: “The inaugural event with the new audio system featured Bollywood artist Benny Dayal performing to a crowd of over 3000 students attending a national level architecture fest hosted at our campus. The system performed well above our expectations, and we have received very positive feedback from the faculty and students alike.”
The prideful install, though, hasn’t taken shape easily, with the dimensions and setting of the ambience posing challenges. “One of the main challenges that we faced was that the system had to be suspended from a steel truss structure, off the roof; that meant that the weight had to be kept to a minimum, and the load be distributed evenly between two adjacent beams,” recalls Nitesh Narayanan from team StageMix. “We were able to achieve this with the Adamson E12 since they’re relatively lightweight and the rigging hardware makes it easy to adjust the angles for fast and secure deployment,” he explains. “We’ve calibrated the Adamson system in a manner that it provides consistent, clear and uniform audio right to the last seat, which is a distance of about 55 meters.”
The install also comprised a pair of CS10p speakers as fills at the back to further enhance speech clarity for the last few rows, with the speakers’ MILAN-based networked audio proving very useful given the long cable runs from the console to the speakers.
Nitesh was all at praise for the hard work and effort invested by team Digiann Solutions. “It’s been a true comprehensive team effort in bringing the system together and deliver the kind of high-quality performance that it does.”
Endorses Jacob: “It has been a great experience working with the StageMix team, as they were able to understand and cater to the exact need of the CHRIST University management. The Adamson system covers the space so well and gives such a warm, smooth sound even at a higher SPL with no harshness.”
Obviously, the client is extremely happy with the result.
