Kengeri Christ University acquires QSC ILA line array
Published: ASIA
INDIA: A new 325-seat auditorium located within Bangalore’s prestigious Kengeri Christ University has been installed with a QSC Audio ILA line array alongside QSC amplification, dbx processing and Midas mixing. The new system was installed by Acoustic Control.
Located on the outskirts of Bangalore, Kengeri Christ University was created by the 19th century educational visionary and social reformer Kuriakose Elias Chavara. Today, the university has the rare distinction of being the first institute in Karnataka to be accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Its facilities include air-conditioned seminar halls, panel rooms, a conference hall, an assembly hall, auditorium, health club, and a hostel facility for female students. The new purpose-built 325 seat auditorium was recently opened with the intention of supporting the engineering faculty in hosting lectures, presentations and cultural events.
Included within the system supplied and installed by Acoustic Control, also of Bangalore, is an L-R ceiling suspended ILA line array consisting of five WL2082-1 cabinets per side plus four ACI1200 18-inch subwoofers that have been positioned under the stage within a masonry and concrete housing. On stage sound is provided by four QSC HPR 112 powered stage monitors.
Powering the system are six RMX5050 amplifiers, while loudspeaker management is via two 2-in/8-out QSC SC28 system controllers and a 4-in/8-out dbx DriveRack 4800 processor. Included for front of house mixing is a Midas Venice 320 32-channel console linked to a Yamaha SPX 2000 effects processor, plus a Klark Teknik Square One dynamic eight channel compressor/gate and a Denon DN-4500 dual CD player. The installation also boasts a complement of Shure SM57 and SM58 wired microphones and AKG WMS450 wireless systems.
A Polycom HDX7000 system and an Optoma 5000ANSI lumens DLP projector screen have also been supplied for video conferencing and presentations or video playback. In order to facilitate the video playback, an Extron ISS 506 with scan converter output and a large number of MTP switchers are used. An AMX NI-3100 control system with a 7-inch touchscreen provides a front-end to the entire install.
The project follows a previous Acoustic Control installation at Kengeri Christ University, which saw the company supply and install a sound and lighting system for a larger 2,000-seat auditorium in 2005. At that time an EV XLC 127i line array was specified alongside a Midas Venice 320 desk and Klark Teknik outboard.
‘Our approach to this project was no different to any other - it was all encompassing,’ reflected Acoustic Control director Sanjay Mudartha. ‘We designed all the aspects of the auditorium including the acoustics, sound system, stage lighting, video projection, video conferencing and control system.’ However, according to Mr Mudartha, the project did present a challenging schedule. ‘The entire project was scheduled to be complete within 60 days once the roofing had been completed and so we were at the mercy of the electrical contractor who was behind schedule. However, once we had pulled all the cables and got power on site, we installed and tuned the system in seven days.’
The auditorium’s acoustics were designed in EASE, as was the QSC ILA system. Upon arriving on site, however, Mr Mudartha and his team were given another shock: ‘We realised that the architect had not allowed for a control room,’ he reveals. ‘We explained why this was vital and also how the location of the room was equally important. Luckily, a small room was built in at the rear of the hall in the centre exactly where we wanted it.’