Rangitoto College is New Zealand’s largest secondary school, recognized around the world for its academic excellence, sporting achievements and performing arts. The college is dedicated to maximizing students’ potential through the provision of a world class education and optimal facilities. Following this commitment, Rangitoto College recently upgraded the audio design of its 1,500-seat auditorium to improve the room’s sound quality and to also address new spectrum changes in New Zealand.
Rangitoto’s auditorium is located at the highest point of the country’s north shore, which causes an onslaught of RF warfare,” said Rick Senekal of Halogen Audio, an integrated A/V solutions company that oversaw the school’s audio upgrade. “Our new audio design required a wireless microphone system that made it easy to find a clean frequency, for flawless sound amplification, and also abided by new spectrum rulings in New Zealand. Rangitoto had systems operating between 700 and 800 MHz, but worked with us to promptly find a solution within legal regulations. We opted to install Shure ULX-D Digital Wireless Systems.
As of March 11, 2015, wireless microphones using frequencies outside of the 502-606 MHz or 622-698 MHz range are no longer permitted by New Zealand laws. ULX-D offers Rangitoto extremely efficient and reliable RF performance—having the ability to fit up to 17 active transmitters in one 6 MHz TV channel—Ethernet networking for streamlined setup and control, and advanced rechargeable power management with precision metering of remaining battery levels. The ULXD4Q Quad Channel Receivers connect seamlessly with the school’s centralized hardware processor, delivering multi-channel audio over Ethernet. The ULXD4Q, which also offers a Dante™ digital networking feature, operates four channels of audio in a rugged, space-efficient single rack unit and completes Rangitoto College’s audio upgrade which also included the integration of loudspeakers, subwoofers and a system amplifier for flexible control and professional sound reinforcement. Rangitoto College’s audio upgrade also includes the integration of QSC a Q-Sys Core 250i system, as well as QSC K12 and AD-S10T loudspeakers, KW181 subwoofers and ISA500T isystem amplifier for flexible control and professional sound reinforcement. All equipment is operated from the Q-Sys Core 250i system and managed using touchscreen controllers over IP.
As of March 11, 2015, wireless microphones using frequencies outside of the 502-606 MHz or 622-698 MHz range are no longer permitted by New Zealand laws. ULX-D offers Rangitoto extremely efficient and reliable RF performance—having the ability to fit up to 17 active transmitters in one 6 MHz TV channel—Ethernet networking for streamlined setup and control, and advanced rechargeable power management with precision metering of remaining battery levels. The ULXD4Q Quad Channel Receivers connect seamlessly with the school’s centralized hardware processor, delivering multi-channel audio over Ethernet. The ULXD4Q, which also offers a Dante™ digital networking feature, operates four channels of audio in a rugged, space-efficient single rack unit and completes Rangitoto College’s audio upgrade which also included the integration of loudspeakers, subwoofers and a system amplifier for flexible control and professional sound reinforcement. Rangitoto College’s audio upgrade also includes the integration of QSC a Q-Sys Core 250i system, as well as QSC K12 and AD-S10T loudspeakers, KW181 subwoofers and ISA500T isystem amplifier for flexible control and professional sound reinforcement. All equipment is operated from the Q-Sys Core 250i system and managed using touchscreen controllers over IP.
Rangitoto has some of the best facilities in the southern hemisphere and now its auditorium boasts audio that is best-in-class. The customer has been extremely pleased with ULX-D and no longer has to worry about RF interference issues interrupting speeches and performances,” concluded Senekal.