The Dakota Dome — University of South Dakota
The Dakota Dome, located on the University of South Dakota campus in Vermillion, has served as the home of Coyote athletics for decades.
Built in 1979, the 9,100-seat facility was one of the first multipurpose domes in the nation. Today, it serves as the home of the Coyote football, indoor track and field, and swimming and diving programs. The dome also hosts the championship games of the South Dakota high school football playoffs, the DAKOTA Farm Show, community youth events, and graduation ceremonies.
To serve the evolving needs of the university and its community, operators determined that a major renovation of the dome was required. As part of the project, the university decided to update the audio capabilities of the redesigned space.
SOLUTION
The original design for the renovated dome’s sound requirements proved insufficient in meeting the desired performance standard. DB Acoustics, the project’s sound contractor, suggested implementing Biamp’s Community I-Series loudspeakers for the redesign. Patrick Doubet from DB Acoustics worked in conjunction with Dale Shirk, senior applications engineer from Biamp, to determine which models would prove most effective within the dome.
The Biamp Community IV6-1122 arrays allowed for the necessary output and coverage within a compact package, enabling a smaller product footprint within the space. Corner coverage was reinforced thanks to highpowered Community R.5 loudspeakers. Low-frequency extension was provided by two clusters of Community IS8-218 dual subwoofers. Once they were installed and tested, university staff were very pleased with the results provided by the Community loudspeakers.
Bolig Memorial Stadium — Selinsgrove Area School District
Harold L. Bolig Memorial Stadium has a seating capacity of 6,500 and is used by football, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field teams across Selinsgrove Area School District in Pennsylvania.
The facility needed to upgrade its sound system with rugged, weather-resistant loudspeakers and subwoofers that deliver outstanding sound quality and uniform dispersion, whether broadcasting play-by-play calls, stadium announcements or music.
“Words cannot express how impressed I am with the quality of this sound system and the power it has. The first time I was able to hear it, it brought a smile to my face,” said Justin Simpson, athletic director at Selinsgrove High School.
SOLUTION
Working with the Biamp design team in Chester, Pa., sound systems integrator Gelnett & Associates of Northumberland, Pa., determined the most effective system deployment for the stadium included four R.5-MAX, two R.2-MAX, and three R.35.3896 loudspeakers, two IS6-215WR subwoofers, three ALC-1604D and one ALC-3202D amplified loudspeaker controllers — all from Biamp’s Community lineup.
Scott Gelnett, chief engineer for Gelnett & Associates, attended the stadium’s first post-installation football game, “The voices were clear, and all announcements were very intelligible. Music sounded full and pumped up the team and home crowd.”
University of Tennessee at Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin recently completed a major upgrade to its 8,500-seat Hardy M. Graham Stadium. UT Martin’s goals were to upgrade its locker rooms and training facilities, add classroom space, and enhance the fan experience with a new press area, a concessions stand, a private club level, and an audio system with music quality and performance that would rival those of major university and professional stadiums.
SOLUTION
Lowrance Sound Company of Union City, Tenn., designed and installed UT Martin’s new audio system. According to owner Carl Lowrance, the stadium’s previous system was a 10-year-old, end-zone design that used a pair of Community R2 loudspeakers — a setup that had provided good coverage and intelligible announcements.
“Despite their age, we were able to reuse the existing R2s in the new system to cover the visitor stands,” Lowrance said. “They were in very good condition.”
Graham Stadium’s new system is a semi-distributed design with an R2- 66MAX loudspeaker on each press box tower to cover the ends of the home bleachers, and four WX-1596 loudspeakers distributed along the front edge to provide center coverage. Forty-four Biamp ceiling loudspeakers provide audio in the press area, the club and locker rooms, and the second-level classrooms. Lowrance added Shure wireless mics for the referees, a handheld wireless mic for field use, and a wired mic for the announcer.
The renovated stadium now boasts a large, modern academic/football press box facility and a new audio system with Community R SERIES and W SERIES loudspeakers.
“We were surprised at how evenly the Community loudspeakers covered the bleachers. And the music quality and intelligibility are great,” said Lowrance. “The whole stadium feels top-tier now. The music adds a high energy level when the team comes onto the field. We’ve got a big school experience now.”
ABOUT BIAMP
Biamp is a leading provider of innovative, networked media systems that power the world’s most sophisticated audiovisual installations. Recognized worldwide for delivering high-quality products and backing each one with a commitment to exceptional customer service, Biamp’s mission is connecting people through extraordinary audiovisual experiences. Founded in 1976, Biamp is headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., with offices and manufacturing facilities located around the world.