Symetrix facilitates Serbian meetings

Lola Audio recently handled AV systems for a conference room designed to serve the local government in Vracar in Belgrade, Serbia. The facility has to support conferences, multi-media presentations and film events.

The system is based on a Symetrix Automix Matrix 780 digital signal processor and delivers speech reinforcement for delegates, visiting speakers and members of the public. It also handles signal distribution, both for journalists and for a large plasma monitor in the foyer of the building.

The meeting room has to accommodate a range of events including meetings of different political parties, training of municipality government staff, presentation of new town planning solutions and architectural projects, popular scientific lectures and celebrations. Lola Audio had to design a user interface that was intuitive and simple to use.

A 48x2 bantam patch panel and two Extron stereo audio switchers feed and complement the 12 input Symetrix Automix Matrix 780 so that the routing controls supplied by the 780 deliver or suppress appropriate inputs for a variety of circumstances. In addition to six Clockaudio gooseneck microphones for delegates, Lola Audio outfitted the building with a pair of Clockaudio wireless microphone systems for lecturers or audience questions. The Extron switchers allow technicians to preview source material from a modern complement of audio and video input devices such as iPod jack, DVD, BluRay, BR/HD recorder, PC, notebook and Flash Card audio recorder.

The outputs consist of a speech-reinforcement system, a hi-fi media playback system, media output, and a recorder. For the speech-reinforcement component, a Symetrix 581E distribution amplifier sends signal to Lab.gruppen C-series amplifiers, which in turn feed a central HK Audio loudspeaker array. Two Symetrix 780 outputs supply signal and corresponding mixes to Extron in-wall loudspeakers at the lectern and at the president’s desk for audience first row fill. Lab.gruppen C-series amplifiers also power a stereo pair of HK Audio twelve-inch two-way loudspeaker systems on either side of the projection screen. An HK Audio fifteen-inch subwoofer supplies the rumble, when needed. Finally, a Tascam HD-R1 flash card audio recorder makes it easy to archive committee meetings and the like, also providing very useful LAN access for audio file transfer to municipality administration for transcription.

Input processing includes equalisation, filtering, and dynamics, along with Symetrix’ feedback suppression and auto-mixing algorithms, both in conference and presentation modes. The 780 accommodates a large number of pre-selected routing configurations, which turn off, turn on, and mix appropriate inputs for distribution to appropriate outputs.

Users operate the system with a Crestron controller and/or an Axiomtek touch-panel PC. The Crestron six-inch touch-panel sits at the lecturer’s desk and allows for event-related pre-set selection, direct mute, volume control, and other commonly required tasks. “It was very easy to use third-party controllers with the Automix Matrix 780,” said Zoran Kecojevic, former general manager and owner of Lola Audio. “The Ethernet connection and protocol is simple and robust.” For more demanding events, such as presentations with many talkers or celebration recitals, the Symetrix 780 control software can be used from a separate control PC.

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