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PR AGENCY CONTACT:
Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: 615.662.1616
Email: eaw@clynemedia.com
Web: www.clynemedia.com/EAW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EAW® Loudspeakers Chosen for Billings, Montana’s
MetraPark Rimrock Auto Arena
Whitinsville, MA, USA, June 2, 2011 – West coast-based audio-video integrator Pro Media/UltraSound has completed the installation of a large EAW® loudspeaker system at Rimrock Auto Arena, which is located within the MetraPark multi-facility events campus in Billings, Montana. The EAW AX Series speakers, SB Series large format subwoofers and CIS Series ceiling speakers are part of a multimillion-dollar total refit of the 12,000-seat arena, which was badly damaged by a tornado in June 2010.
According to Demetrius Palavos, senior sales and design engineer with Pro Media/UltraSound, the unique architecture of the arena had a significant impact on the design of the rigging and positioning of the new speaker system. Mark Graham of AV systems design consultants Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. (WJHW) of Dallas, Texas, was the lead consultant on the project.
Palavos elaborates, “Due to large roof trusses that run down each side of the building through the main seating, it required a different approach to the overall design of the loudspeaker system. Typically in an arena like this, you would have a center cluster that would handle two-thirds of the seating bowl with some type of smaller two-way delay devices that would handle the upper seating areas. But these large beams hang down low and would be in the main cluster’s coverage pattern, leaving portions of the audience out of the sound coverage.
WHJW’s design called for a multi-cluster arrangement, Palavos continues, incorporating EAW AX344, AX364 and AX396 Three-Way, Full-Range, Arrayable Install Loudspeakers. “There’s a center cluster that consists of EAW SB528zp Large Format Subwoofers. Then there are two different styles of clusters. On the north and the south sides there are four AX boxes with a single AX hung below for down fill. There’s another large lateral truss running through the building, so on the east-west clusters they had to do this unique rigging solution that has a pair of AX boxes with a single down-firing AX box. That handles about half the seating of the facility,” details Palavos.
He adds, “Then there are five AX boxes per side on the outside of the large roof trusses that handle coverage for the majority of the audience in the east-west portion of the arena.”
In addition, there are a number of MK2399 Two-Way, Full-Range Install Loudspeakers providing scoreboard fill in the center of the arena. He adds, “And they do also have what they call the south stage clusters, which are two – one left, one right – AX396 enclosures that allow them to do some end-stage events like graduations and other things.”
Palavos notes, “WJHW not only did the electronics package design – speakers, wiring, consoles – but they also did a substantial improvement to the facility’s acoustics.” Bass traps are located down each side of the arena. As you approach the top of the seating area, the audience seating gets pretty close to the bass trap ceiling, which allowed us to install EAW CIS400 [two-way, 6.5-inch] Ceiling Loudspeakers for additional fill coverages, he reports.
“The system tuned up very quickly – much more so than anticipated, given the architectural constraints of the loudspeaker locations,” said Mark Graham. “This was a tough project with a lot of emotion involved, given the high number of complaints specifically directed at the old sound system (vintage 1975) and previous acoustical treatments or lack thereof.” One interesting comment Graham received from the Architect before system commissioning was this: “If it sounds as good as it looks, we’re in good shape,” and once the system was up and running, the County Commissioners heading up the project wasted no time in coming to audition the system, leaving with smiles on their faces.
Originally the site of a fairground in the early 1900s, MetraPark (METRA is an acronym for Montana's Entertainment, Trade and Recreation Arena) is situated next to the Yellowstone River and covers 185 acres within the Billings city limits. MetraPark’s Rimrock Auto Arena hosts Montana’s largest concerts, family shows, rodeos, ice shows, motor sports and other events, including local school and college sports tournaments and graduation ceremonies.
For more information, please visit www.eaw.com
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Photo File 1: EAW_Metra_Photo1.JPG
Photo Caption 1: An EAW AX Series loudspeaker at Billings, Montana’s Rimrock Auto Arena at the MetraPark complex.Photo File 2: EAW_Metra_Photo2.JPG
Photo Caption 2: A cluster of EAW AX Series loudspeakers at Billings, Montana’s Rimrock Auto Arena at the MetraPark complex.
About EAW
Founded in 1978 and celebrating more than 30 years of excellence, Eastern Acoustic Works® (EAW®) is a global leader in producing high-performance professional audio equipment trusted by the most discerning professionals for every possible sound reinforcement application.About LOUD Technologies Inc.
As the corporate parent for world-recognized brands Alvarez®, Ampeg®, Blackheart®, Crate®, EAW®, Mackie® and Martin Audio®, LOUD engineers, markets and distributes a wide range of professional audio and musical instrument products worldwide. Our product lines include sound reinforcement systems, analog and digital mixers, guitar and bass amplifiers, and acoustic and electric guitars. These products can be found in professional and project recording studios, video and broadcast suites, post-production facilities, sound reinforcement applications including houses of worship, stadiums, nightclubs, retail locations, and on major musical concert tours. The Company distributes its products primarily through retail dealers, mail order outlets and installed sound contractors. The Company has its primary operations in the United States with operations in the United Kingdom, Canada and China. For more information, please see our website: www.loudtechinc.com.
EAW is a registered trademark of LOUD Technologies Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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