CASE STUDY: education

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

Biamp Systems Beaver ton , Oregon , USA w w w. b iamp.com +1 503 .6 41 .7287

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RSound Engineering. With offices across Michigan, Sound Engineering is a designer

and integrator of sound, video and communications solutions.

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TIntegrated Design Solutions, LLC. Based in Troy, Michigan, IDS provides services across

multiple disciplines, including architecture, engineering, interiors and technology.

At the heart of the hall’s network is an AudiaFLEX digital audio processor by Biamp Systems, along with an AudiaEXPO expansion module for converting digital audio input via CobraNet® to line-level analog audio outputs. A Polycom VSX 8000 facilitates the hall’s videoconferencing capabilities. Audio and video functions are both easily controlled using a Crestron AV2 processor and a UPX2 touch panel system that gives instructors the ability to manipulate presets, including audio only, presentation, videoconference, teleconference and webcast modes.

One big advantage the AudiaFLEX processor and Crestron QuickMedia™ system both offer is that they are network compatible. The Sound team was able to run Cat-5 cable directly into both components, instead of switching cables at each piece of equipment, which was particularly useful when transporting video signals to the Sanyo projectors. Using Cat-5 minimized the amount of cables and conduit the installation team had to pull, which also helped solve the concrete wall problem.

The 27’ x 70’ rectangular room was originally set up with lengthwise seating, but Sound Engineering and IDS rotated the layout 90 degrees. The new “horizontal” layout offers many benefits. It brings students closer to the instructor, provides additional wall space for video screens, facilitates complete AV coverage, enhances instructors’ display and presentation capabilities and allows remote interaction via videoconferencing, audio conferencing or webcasting.

SOLUTION

CHALLENGE

Revamp the AV systems in Cohn Auditorium, a key lecture hall for The College of Nursing at Wayne State University in metropolitan Detroit. Create an interactive, easily accessible system that can be adjusted and serviced with minimal downtime.

Compared to a typical lecture hall, Cohn Auditorium features lower ceiling heights that create acoustic challenges. What’s more, the room layout was inefficient, and the largely concrete walls make running cable more difficult.

“One of the nicer aspects of the AudiaFLEX processor and Crestron QuickMedia™ system is that they are both network compatible. So we were able to run CAT-5 cable directly into both components. Using Cat-5 greatly reduced the amount of cables and conduit we had to pull.”

-JOE GRUSZKA, CHIEF SYSTEM DESIGN ENGINEER, SOUND ENGINEERING

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. WAYNE STATE TRANSfORmS LECTURE HALL fROm OLD SCHOOL TO NEW SCHOOL, WITH AV fROm IDS AND SOUND ENGINEERING.

Biamp Systems Beaver ton , Oregon , USA w w w. b iamp.com +1 503 .6 41 .7287

www.b iamp.com

wayne state universityCASE STUDY: education

CONCLUSIONS

University instructors now have the newest technologies that enhance their ability to present and share information, in a setting comparable to the high-tech facilities that nursing students will work in. The flexible, Audia-based networked media system saves time, money and resources by simplifying installation and future expansion. The AudiaFLEX delivers superior acoustic echo cancellation, even in a difficult environment.

With these additions, Cohn Auditorium is now one of the most technically advanced halls on the Wayne State campus.”

- BARRY GILBERT, EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIST, SOUND ENGINEERING

Sound Engineering compensated for the low ceiling height by designing the AV system with 12 Electro-Voice® C42 ceiling-mounted speakers in mix/minus mode. The strategic positioning of these speakers ensures even coverage without distracting delays. While the low ceiling height made setting up acoustic coverage tricky, it also made it possible to position 10 Audio Technica® ES945 ceiling microphones so that any student can contribute during a two-conferencing scenario.

To ensure that all conferencing audio is optimized, the AudiaFLEX is configured with six AEC cards for acoustic echo cancellation on each of the ceiling-mounted microphones, preventing any output audio from the speakers from being retransmitted to the far end. In total, the AudiaFLEX is responsible for processing and routing reinforced mix/minus audio, as well as incoming teleconferencing, videoconferencing and webcasting audio. It is also configured to receive

audio from various sources in the room, including a desktop PC or laptop, a Tascam® DVD player and a Sony® VCR.

The last challenge was to position key components locally, for quick instructor access, adjustments and servicing. Sound manufactured a custom piece that houses all the components under the presenter’s lectern. They also later added a Panasonic 3CCD document camera to enhance presentations.

SYSTEm SpECIfICS

SYSTEm COmpONENTS

AUDIA® SOfTWARE

1 AudiaFLEX unit configured with six AEC cards

1 AudiaEXPO expansion module

1 Crestron QuickMedia™ system

12 Electro-Voice® C42 ceiling mounted speakers

10 Audio Technica® ES945 ceiling microphones

1 Polycom VSX 8000 conferencing system

1 Crestron AV2 processor and UPX2 touch panel system

1 Tascam® DVD player; 1 Sony® VCR

1 Panasonic 3CCD document camera

Desk PC and/or laptop