Fort Morgan Band Shell: Audio Systems Design Narrative Introduction: The functional design of the audio/public address (PA) audio systems for the Fort Morgan band shell shall be a hybrid portable/installed system. All of the user operable components such as the loudspeakers, mixing console, and playback equipment shall be portable and band shell shall have permanent cabling and infrastructure in place for simple connection and setup of the portable equipment as needed. Additional electrical service for larger staged events shall also be provided. Loudspeaker Systems: The loudspeaker systems for the Fort Morgan band shell shall consist of two (2) powered main loudspeakers, two (2) powered monitor loudspeakers, and two (2) powered subwoofers. The main and monitor loudspeakers shall be supplied with the manufacturer s optional nylon/cordura tote bag. The subwoofers shall be supplied with rolling casters as well as the manufacturer s optional nylon/cordura cover. The loudspeakers shall be carried/wheeled out of storage and set on the downstage left and downstage right lip of the stage next to the vertical support column facing the audience area. The subwoofers are designed with a pole mount cup that allows for the main loudspeakers to be set on the subwoofer using an extension pole (a standard part supplied by the loudspeaker manufacturer). Both loudspeakers are then plugged into a standard 120VAC outlet mounted in the support column as well as an audio output from the audio system (also in the column). The audio signal is then daisy chained between the subwoofer and the main loudspeaker. This allows for a very simple and efficient setup with a minimum of parts/cables. The monitor loudspeakers are to be used as needed on stage and can be plugged into any of the other four auxiliary outputs located throughout the stage area (in a series of i/o panels as described hereunder). If additional loudspeaker coverage is needed for large events the two monitor loudspeakers can also be set on standard loudspeaker pole mount stands and the audio can be daisy chained from main subwoofer/main loudspeakers. Figure 1: Sub & Main Loudspeaker Detail April 7, 2011 K2 Audio, LLC 1
Mixing and Processing Components: The mixing and processing components for the audio system shall consist of one (1) mixing console and three (3) outboard graphic equalizers. The mixing console shall be a basic 24-channel analog mixing console with 24 microphone/line inputs, 2 stereo microphone/line inputs, four sub groups, six auxiliary sends, and a stereo output. It is the intent that the first sixteen channels of the console be associated with the sixteen microphone inputs located throughout the stage area. The outputs from the console to the stage for main loudspeakers and monitors shall be the main stereo outputs and the four auxiliary sends. The left and right output shall be cabled to the left and right columns at the front edge of the stage and the monitor outputs shall be distributed (paralleled as needed) throughout the stage area. All of the outputs shall be wired through a graphic equalizer for basic system equalization and feedback prevention. It is the intent of the audio system design that the system shall not inherently require any equalization, but if many microphones are used on stage it is desirable to have some basic equalization capabilities. K2 Audio is recommending one (1) stereo 31-band graphic equalizer with both limiting as well as digital feedback elimination capability for the main left and right loudspeakers and two (2) stereo 15-band graphic equalizers with limiting and feedback elimination capability for the four Figure 2: Analog Mixing Console Detail auxiliary sends for monitor loudspeakers. Microphones and Playback Devices: K2 Audio is initially recommending two (2) hand-held wireless microphone systems for the audio system. The wireless microphone hand held transmitter shall be equipped with microphone capsules appropriate for use with both voice and musical instruments. The wireless microphone systems shall be rack mounted in a portable equipment rack (a.k.a. sidecar) that shall be placed next to the mixing console when the system is in use. The wireless microphone systems shall also include a rack mount antenna distribution and ½ wave antennas for additional wireless reception gain and to alleviate possible microphone dropouts given the distance from the stage to the mix position in the Gazebo. The wireless microphone antenna distribution system shall permit an additional two (2) wireless systems to be purchased and installed in the future. K2 Audio is also recommending four (4) additional hand held vocal and instrument microphones as well as some additional cables (of various lengths) to be included as portable equipment for the audio system. For keyboards, guitars, and basses two (2) additional portable direct boxes shall be supplied as well. April 7, 2011 K2 Audio, LLC 2
Also contained with portable sidecar described above shall be a rack mount CD player and a rack mount ipod/mp3 player interface. The CD player shall be a professional model CD player capable of playing standard CDs, CD-R/RW, and MP3s. The CD player shall also have a 10 second shock buffer, cueing, instant start, +/-12% pitch control, and wireless IR control. The rack mount ipod/mp3 interface shall be a rack mount panel with both a stereo 3.5mm connector (mini headphone style) and a left/right RCA (phono) connectors. This panel will allow for a portable music player, handheld device, or other stereo unbalanced source to be plugged into the sound system easily. Permanent Cabling and Infrastructure: The audio system, although primarily composed of portable equipment, shall also utilize a considerable amount of permanent cabling to facilitate setup and operation. It is the intent to minimize the system cabling to just hook-up cables and alleviate the need to use a large microphone and/or drive snakes for every event. K2 Audio recommends that sixteen (16) microphone inputs be placed on stage at five (5) distinct locations. The inputs shall be placed on 2-gang or 3-three gang wall plates depending on the location and any microphones used on stage would be plugged into these wall jacks. All of the microphone inputs from these locations would be placed in conduit and wired back to and terminated in an intermediate pull box in the electrical room/storage area. A single multichannel cable would then be pulled from the pull box location to a pedestal with a weather-rated pull box back at the gazebo. Within the gazebo pull box would be a multi-pin connector for connection to the mixing console/sidecar rack. Outputs from the mixing console/sidecar rack would utilize the multi-pin connection and would be cabled back to the pull box on stage. The main left/right outputs would then get cabled to the down stage left/right columns for connection to the subwoofers and the main loudspeakers and the auxiliary sends would be cabled as line outputs on the microphone input plates on stage. This will allow for a simple setup and some basic flexibility depending on a performer s requirements. To permit additional stage lighting and sound, K2 Audio recommends a 200A/3f 208Y disconnect backstage in an out of the way and secure location such as the electrical room. This will enable a professional sound/lighting company to bring in additional sound and lighting equipment for more elaborate performances. K2 Audio recommends that the backstage disconnect be supplied with Camlock receptacles with self-closing flip covers and possibly a locking protective cover. April 7, 2011 K2 Audio, LLC 3
Cost Estimate: The audio system as described above is estimated to cost approximately $25,000. This cost would cover the portable as well as the installed equipment and the installation of the various components. NOTE: Costs NOT included in this estimate are any material and labor costs associated with the power and conduit requirements associated with the system, the cost of the above described 200A/3f 208Y electrical disconnect, and any other site work such as trenching, concrete saw cuts, etc. Initial Equipment List: The following is a preliminary equipment list outlining the major equipment and quantities required as defined in the audio systems design narrative above. It is not intended to be a complete and/or biddable equipment list and additional equipment as well as design and engineering may be required to create a turnkey audio system. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION MAKE MODEL QTY 10" TWO-WAY POWERED LOUDSPEAKER - 90 DEGREE QSC K10 4 10" TWO-WAY POWERED LOUDSPEAKER TOTE BAG QSC K10 TOTE 4 12" (DUAL) BAND-PASS SUBWOOFER - WITH CASTERS QSC KSUB 2 12" (DUAL) BAND-PASS SUBWOOFER COVER QSC KSUB COVER 2 24+2 CHANNEL AUDIO MIXING CONSOLE SOUNDCRAFT GB2-24 1 AUDIO MIXING CONSOLE LITES LITTLITE 18X-HI-4 2 CD PLAYER W/SHOCK AND PITCH ADJUST DENON DN-C635 1 CD PLAYER REMOTE CONTROL DENON RCU620 1 RACK MOUNT IPOD/MP3 PLAYER INTERFACE PROCO IRACK 1 WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM - HAND HELD SHURE SLX24/SM86 2 ANTENNA DISTRIBUTION KIT SHURE UA844SWB 1 1/2 WAVE ANTENNA SHURE UA820 2 DUAL 15 BAND GRAPHIC EQ w/feedback SUPPRESSION DBX IEQ15 2 DUAL 31 BAND GRAPHIC EQ w/feedback SUPPRESSION DBX IEQ31 1 DYNAMIC VOCAL MICROPHONE SHURE SM58-LC 2 April 7, 2011 K2 Audio, LLC 4
DYNAMIC INSTRUMENT MICROPHONE SHURE BETA 57A 2 MIC/LINE CABLE - 6' WHIRLWIND MKQ06 6 MIC/LINE CABLE - 15' WHIRLWIND MKQ15 10 MIC/LINE CABLE - 25' WHIRLWIND MKQ25 10 MIC/LINE CABLE - 50' WHIRLWIND MKQ50 6 MICROPHONE STAND w/boom ARM - BLACK K&M 210/9 8 ADDITIONAL LOUDSPEAKER STANDS w/carry CASE K&M 21459 2 PASSIVE DIRECT BOX WHIRLWIND DIR 2 MIXING CONSOLE ROAD CASE ANVIL ATA-SOUNDCRAFTGB2-24 1 PROCESSING/PLAYBACK RACK ROAD CASE ANVIL MICS-24 1 RACK MOUNT POWER STRIP/LIGHT MODULE FURMAN PL-PRO C 1 EQUIPMENT DRAWER - D4 MID ATLANTIC UD4 2 MULTICHANNEL PRE-WIRE KIT (MULTI PIN TO BLUNT ENDS) - 150' WHIRLWIND CUSTOM PREWIRE 1 MULTICHANNEL FANOUT (MULTIPIN TO XLR) - 15' WHIRLWIND CUSTOM FANOUT 1 MULTICHANNEL SNAKE CABLE WHIRLWIND CUSTOM SNAKE 1 2-GANG I/O PLATE CUSTOM CUSTOM 1 3-GANG I/O PLATE CUSTOM CUSTOM 1 2-GANG CONSOLE PLATE CUSTOM CUSTOM 1 4-RU SIDECARE PANEL w/multipin I/O CUSTOM CUSTOM 1 MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS (CABLE, CONNECTORS, ETC) MISC LOT 1 April 7, 2011 K2 Audio, LLC 5