ALLEN & HEATH DIGITAL PRODUCTS INSTALLED IN TURKISH UNIVERSITY

Allen & Heath’s iLive digital mixing system and iDR audio distribution system have been installed in the concert hall and conference suite of Turkey’s Anadolu University, as part of an audio upgrade of the University’s public areas. Situated in the city of Eskişehir, Anadolu University is the 4th largest university in the world by enrolment, housing 12 faculties, 3 of which are for distance education, 7 schools, 4 vocational schools, 9 institutes (4 graduate schools, 5 institutes) and 28 research centres and units. “The institute is renowned for being at the cutting edge of technology, so it was essential that its public service areas reflect this,” explains Erçin Ural from Allen & Heath’s Turkish distributor, Asimetrik. Consequently, Allen & Heath’s iLive digital mixing system – comprising an iDR10 mixrack and iLive-176 control surface - was selected for the 1,000-capacity concert hall and the 16x16 matrix iDR audio distribution system was chosen for the University’s conference room. The modern, purpose built concert hall hosts orchestral, folk and rock performances from national and international artists seven days a week. It is regularly used for rehearsals and performances by the University’s School of Music & Arts and resident Symphony Orchestra. The iDR10 rack is installed stage left with the iLive-176 situated in the spacious control booth. The mixing system is complemented with QSC amplifiers and EAW AX366 loudspeakers.

“The University wanted a digital system because of the flexibility the technology offers. iLive was chosen because of its extensive audio processing capabilities, ease of connections with the Mixrack situated onstage, and recall functions, which make set up for the regular rehearsals very quick,” continues Ural. “The engineers using iLive in the concert hall are very impressed with the sound quality, and the analogue feel of the controls. They are also excited by the additional multi-track recording functionality, which will enable them to document the many shows they host at the venue.” The conference room’s audio system comprises three iDR-8 digital matrix mixers, two iDR-IN expander units, a PL-6 8 fader remote control panel and two iDR-Switch units, mixing 31 Sennheiser gooseneck mics through two EAW powered digital line arrays. A Crestron touch screen - connected directly to one of the three iDR-8 units - gives manual control of mic switching and levels at the top table. “The ceiling is a polished hardwood dome and the walls are acoustically absorbent, so feedback was rampant from 160Hz all the way up but the PEQ and dynamic processing on every iDR channel allowed us to arrive at a very natural sound,” concludes Ural.