Synchronized Simplicity

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     For town hall meetings, there are audio, video and control I/O panels located off-stage (left and right) to accommodate possible locations for the podium and room production requirements. There are additional inputs for 12 microphones (six per side), an auxiliary input for a handheld production camera, and intercom interconnects for a Beyer DT-180 system.

     Lectrosonics supplied the wireless microphones not only for the Teletorium, but for the entire technology facility as well. RJC Vice President, Bob Mohan, explains, "Consider the RF jungle created by the large number of wireless systems required throughout Mandeville Hall, plus the fact that it is located within two miles of three major broadcast stations - some of which are in the process of converting to DTV transmission - and it's easy to understand why a great deal of attention had to be given to the process of wireless frequency coordination." To help ameliorate the situation, transmitters and receivers with selectable frequencies were used.

     As added insurance for optimal wireless performance, Howard Kaufman of Lectrosonics conducted spectrum tests over the full range of intended frequencies. Frequency tests with an analyzer were carried out at different locations throughout Mandeville Hall and at different times of the day and night. Floor plans for the building were supplied to Lectrosonics to aid in the evaluation of second and third order harmonic interference between rooms. Also figured into the equation were all known new RF sources in the building, such as RF hearing assist systems. Mohan adds, "With the data gathered on-site, coupled with the interference calculations and filtered with the FCC's new DTV frequency plan, a final 'built-to' frequency plan was achieved."

     Lectrosonics UM200B belt pack transmitters were used for the various lavaliers. The UT200 VariMicrophone was selected for the handheld microphones. Receivers used throughout the system were Lectrosonic UCR200D models. RJC chose the latter because it was desirable that all receivers be the same model for the entire Mandeville Hall technology facility. The UCR200D's compact design also allowed RJC to mount up to four receivers in a single rack space with built-in RF distribution from each unit's two antennas. Since rack space was limited in some of the rooms within the technology facility, this feature made for a very clean installation in sometimes-cramped quarters.

     The Wolfington Teletorium contains several zones of sound reinforcement. For audio fill directly in front of the stage, custom 8081-CSD loudspeakers from KSI were chosen which are processed by a Biamp EQ152 equalizer and powered by a Biamp CPA130 amplifier.

     Three zones of Sound Advance Systems' CT73 ceiling-mounted loudspeakers serve the fixed seating area. Identical in size and appearance to the room's ceiling tiles, these flat-panel transducers once again receive equalization from a Biamp EQ152. A distribution amplifier feeds each of the three CT73 zones with 70-volt power via P-912 power amps from TOA. A Biamp Advantage DDL11 delay unit insures properly timed arrival in the rear of the room. This distributed system has provided excellent coverage and quality while maintaining source localization.

     Coluzzi explains, "Balanced zoned coverage, a touch of EQ, and most importantly, good room acoustics, make it possible to set the gain structure to even accommodate the roving microphones of the instructor without feedback."

     Helping to complete the design is a Gentner TX37A ADA hearing assistance system with RX6 receivers. Outfitted with six channels, the Gentner system allows users to leave the Teletorium and travel throughout Mandeville Hall without having to change receivers, and will also be used for the monitoring of multi-language translation within the Teletorium in the future.

     At present, there are four transmit and four receive stereo AV paths active in the Teletorium's control room. These audio with corresponding video receive and transmit lines go back to the Master Control Head End up the hill to the Barbelin building. This master control room among other functions acts as Mandeville's (and future campus sites) communications hub. Since two principal functions of the teletorium are video conferencing and distance learning, connectivity for audio and video back to ether a CODEC, T1 line, or satellite feed in master control can be established.

     By using various macro functions setup with the Teletorium's AMX control system, the sometimes-difficult task of 'getting the audio right' when assigning specific communication and connectivity paths between these two control rooms was made considerably easier.

     "Coming up with a design for a 'do-it-all-room' such as the Teletorium was not an easy assignment," RJC's Rich Coluzzi admits. "Just by their very nature, the versatility that the audio systems required were complicated. The user control portion by itself could have easily gotten out of hand. When the dust finally settled, however, I believe we accomplished our system design goals of complete flexibility, expandability for growth and most important ease of use for the instructor's specific requirements."

     Rich Coluzzi, President and Bob Mohan, VP/Engineering of RJC Designs Inc. are the technology advisors, system designers, and tech. project managers for St. Joseph's University and the Mandeville Hall project. RJC Designs Inc. located outside of Baltimore Maryland has been providing technology and communication based system designs, engineering and consulting for educational institutions, corporate and industry and government facilities for over ten years. For information on RJC Designs Inc., additional information on the St. Joe's project or other projects contact Rich Coluzzi at 1-800-883-7521, E-Mail rcoluzzi@rjcdesigns.com, or go to the RJC web site at www.rjcdesigns.com.

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