ITALIAN UNIVERSITY SELECTS iDR FOR AUDITORIUM AUDIO REFIT

Italy’s G d’Annunzio University has recently carried out a refurbishment of its 400-capacity main auditorium, installing Allen & Heath’s iDR DSP system to manage audio distribution and live events. G. d'Annunzio University is situated in the Abruzzo region, spread over two main campuses in the towns of Pescara and Chieti, with over 23,000 students. The establishment derives its name from its most celebrated literary figure - Gabriele d'Annunzio – who was born in Pescara in 1863. Located on the University’s Chieti campus, the all-purpose Auditorium del Rettorato caters for a range of events, not only for the University but also for external organisations on a local, national and international level. Events include conferences, lectures, live broadcast events, theatrical productions, music concerts, and performances from the University’s ballet, choir and orchestra companies. Local installers, CD AudioVideo, managed the installation project, with Allen & Heath’s Italian distributor, Grisby Music, managing the system design and programming. “We selected the iDR system because we wanted a flexible system that could be expanded,” explains CD AudioVideo’s sales manager, Andrea Mazzone. “The University intends to extend the system to manage audio in other areas of the campus. Also, the iDR ensured we would gain the best audio quality and clarity, which is crucial for live musical and conference events.”

Installed in a control room, the iDR system comprises three iDR-8 matrix mixers and iDR-in and iDR-out expander units providing a total of 32 inputs/outputs of DSP. The five rack units are networked to provide control of all the system parameters and routing matrix, programmed using iDR System Manager software. Control can be accessed directly from the units, via two PL-10 rotary fader panels - one located in the control room and the other in the auditorium’s sound booth - or from inside the auditorium from WiFi networked laptops loaded with PL-Client software, which enables the installer to create tailor made control parameters and virtual wallplates. The flexible control methods enable the user to mix audio and select sources, such as CD, mics, videoconference, satellite and other feeds, from a variety of locations. The two PL-10 controllers are provided for those operators who prefer a physical control surface to engineer events, rather than computer software. Grisby’s design specialist, Luigi Locorotondo, said: “The iDR’s capacity is astounding – the potential of this system even exceeds the vast number of functions it is currently assigned. Moreover, the preset features mean that engineers benefit from more time to create, produce and mix live events.” A specific requirement of the new system was that it could manage a large number of microphones. The iDR’s 'Automatic Mic Mixer’ mode in particular is a great benefit to the conferences that are regularly hosted at the venue, where several microphones can contribute to the mix. Microphones are only opened when they are being spoken into and the overall gain is reduced as more microphones are opened. The venue has been architecturally designed - including acoustic treatment - to best suit any kind of sound. There is a multi-channel playback system, and a FOH PA system in LCR format, two main subwoofers, plus surround sound loudspeakers. “Thanks to the iDR system we have made an important technical upgrade to our auditorium. It is my job to accommodate many different activities every day, and with the iDR system I have gained flexibility, quality in sound, and a decrease in set up times,” concludes G d’Annunzio University’s technical director, Marcello Di Nino.