Turbosound installations

Mandela Hall, Queen's University

Venue: Mandela Hall, Queens University
Location: Belfast, UK
Venue-type: Concert hall
Loudspeaker system:
Aspect series
TSW series

Queen's University Belfast is the first UK installation of the Aspect high-efficiency sound reinforcement system which debuted in the Mandela Hall at this year's Fresher's Ball - featuring local rockers Ash - in front of a 1500-strong student audience.

After a 16-week refurbishment project with a budget of £1.5 million, Queen's University's new PA system comprises six TA-880H tri-amped mid-high cabinets, plus six TA-880HM downfills, eight TA-880L bass units, four TSW-124 subs, and two TA-890H used as in-fills - all powered by MC2 E25 and E45 power amplifiers with XTA processing.

Queen's entertainments manager at the Student Union, Rod Martin explained their choice of Aspect:
"We go back a long way with Turbosound, installing a Floodlight system in 1995 that has been a great servant to us, and was particularly good for the live bands. When we got the green light to refurbish the Mandela Hall, we set aside a total of £250k for the a/v budget, and we went out to tender. We had a very clear idea of what we wanted, needing to cater for the range of dance, live bands, club nights and live comedy. When Robin Stubbs of Lockesley Associates introduced me to the work going on in Turbo's R&D with Aspect, it seemed the right fit. We knew it involved taking a bit of a chance, but given our confidence in Turbosound, I felt confident that they would deliver. We did an A/B comparison with Aspect and Floodlight, and there was a striking difference with the high-end clarity in particular. We also have a regular club night - Shine - for which the guys like seriously high SPLs and a high impact sound. They wanted something that would give both excellent coverage and some pretty high levels.

"With Aspect, we now have a five-way system that has opened up the complete frequency range to us. The Shine team are getting a really extreme sound - the levels are typically 125dB - with 14dB headroom! The live bands that have played already have been really happy with the system, and our first stand-up comedian to check it out this week was amazed by the clarity. We had a bit of fine-tuning to do, but with Mick Williams and Turbosound's help, we have got a great result."

The project involved close co-operation between the Queen's team, consultant Mick Williams of Symonds Group, installers Production Services Ireland, suppliers A.C. Lighting, and the Turbosound technicians who had a dedicated application engineer involved on the project all the way through. The Aspect installation at Queen's University features a left and right flown system, each cluster comprising one row of three TA-880H trapezoidal Aspect cabinets with a row of three TA-880HM high-mid downfills. Infill is provided by one TA-890H touring Aspect cabinet on either side, flown high to keep them out of sight lines and angled steeply down. Space was at a considerable premium and the narrow width of the TA-880H trapezoidal cabinet has allowed a very powerful cluster to be hung in a very tight space. The very tightly controlled dispersion of Aspect allowed an overall design that addressed the room challenges, as well as the aesthetic issues of keeping a clean sightline and a low profile system. A mix of TA-880L double 15" bass cabinets and TSW-124 single 24" subs complete the five-way system design, adding trouser-flapping but fast and accurate low frequency transients.

	Mandela Hall, Queen's University

	Venue: Mandela Hall, Queens University Location: Belfast, UK Venue-type: Concert hall Loudspeaker system: Aspect series TSW series

	Queen's University Belfast is the first UK installation of the Aspect high-efficiency sound reinforcement system which debuted in the Mandela Hall at this year's Fresher's Ball - featuring local rockers Ash - in front of a 1500-strong student audience. After a 16-week refurbishment project with a budget of £1.5 million, Queen's University's new PA system comprises six TA-880H tri-amped mid-high cabinets, plus six TA-880HM downfills, eight TA-880L bass units, four TSW-124 subs, and two TA-890H used as in-fills - all powered by MC2 E25 and E45 power amplifiers with XTA processing. Queen's entertainments manager at the Student Union, Rod Martin explained their choice of Aspect: "We go back a long way with Turbosound, installing a Floodlight system in 1995 that has been a great servant to us, and was particularly good for the live bands. When we got the green light to refurbish the Mandela Hall, we set aside a total of £250k for the a/v budget, and we went out to tender. We had a very clear idea of what we wanted, needing to cater for the range of dance, live bands, club nights and live comedy. When Robin Stubbs of Lockesley Associates introduced me to the work going on in Turbo's R&D with Aspect, it seemed the right fit. We knew it involved taking a bit of a chance, but given our confidence in Turbosound, I felt confident that they would deliver. We did an A/B comparison with Aspect and Floodlight, and there was a striking difference with the high-end clarity in particular. We also have a regular club night - Shine - for which the guys like seriously high SPLs and a high impact sound. They wanted something that would give both excellent coverage and some pretty high levels. "With Aspect, we now have a five-way system that has opened up the complete frequency range to us. The Shine team are getting a really extreme sound - the levels are typically 125dB - with 14dB headroom! The live bands that have played already have been really happy with the system, and our first stand-up comedian to check it out this week was amazed by the clarity. We had a bit of fine-tuning to do, but with Mick Williams and Turbosound's help, we have got a great result." The project involved close co-operation between the Queen's team, consultant Mick Williams of Symonds Group, installers Production Services Ireland, suppliers A.C. Lighting, and the Turbosound technicians who had a dedicated application engineer involved on the project all the way through. The Aspect installation at Queen's University features a left and right flown system, each cluster comprising one row of three TA-880H trapezoidal Aspect cabinets with a row of three TA-880HM high-mid downfills. Infill is provided by one TA-890H touring Aspect cabinet on either side, flown high to keep them out of sight lines and angled steeply down. Space was at a considerable premium and the narrow width of the TA-880H trapezoidal cabinet has allowed a very powerful cluster to be hung in a very tight space. The very tightly controlled dispersion of Aspect allowed an overall design that addressed the room challenges, as well as the aesthetic issues of keeping a clean sightline and a low profile system. A mix of TA-880L double 15" bass cabinets and TSW-124 single 24" subs complete the five-way system design, adding trouser-flapping but fast and accurate low frequency transients.