Scripps College Performing Arts Center
-
Location:
Claremont,
California USA
- System
provided by: DJL Audio Video Specialists
- Speakers
used: M2X Version 2 Mid/Bass, SCHOLAR Model 118
Scripps College Performing Arts Center
Earns an "A" for Acoustics
Louis R. Carlozo
With its official
grand opening in October 2003, the Scripps College Performing Arts
Center in Claremont, Calif. did what any good college institution should
do: It graduated.
Thanks to an $11.5
million renovation, the center added 10,000 square feet of new
space—bringing it up to 44,000 square feet—and in the process, spruced
up its 700-seat Garrison Theater, originally built in 1962. And with the
rehab comes a rep spreading fast among world-class artists. Acts from
the Ahn sisters—the young Korean threesome who bridge the worlds of
Juilliard classical and MTV—to Israeli pop superstar David Broza have
graced the new stage. Also on the roll call: Monica Huggett (one of the
world's foremost baroque violinists); Anonymous 4 (the much-lauded
classical and folk vocal ensemble); and guest speakers such as Josephina
Lopez (the filmmaker behind "Real Women Have Curves").
What do all of
those luminaries have in common? A diamond-sharp sound system that
features "best of breed" components. For the system's high-end a TAD
4001 driver was coupled to a Community PC264 horn. Mid- and
low-frequency reproduction was anchored by products from MacPherson. A
special mid/bass version of their popular M2X speakers supported the
lower frequencies until SCHOLAR Model 118 subwoofers took over. Four of
the SCHOLAR subs were configured in an array, taking advantage of their
unique design (SCHOLAR is an acronym for Self-Cornering HOrn Line
Array)—which produces an "acoustic corner" of low-frequency output.
While the sound of
the Garrison Theater has earned raves from audiences and acts alike,
putting a solid system together was no easy feat.
The project was led
by Don Cicchetti, chief systems designer, and Darryl Lima, president of
DJL Audio Video Specialists in San Dimas, California. For starters, "The
room, measuring about 100 ft. by 100 ft. in the seating area with a
50-ft. open ceiling, was originally an acoustic nightmare," Lima said.
What's more, Lima's
team consistently got mixed messages about the client's budget, which
was in a constant state of flux. Over $1 million was invested in
acoustic treatments meant to attract world-class conductors and
orchestras to the hall. But the budget for sound and video reinforcement
fluctuated wildly ‹at one point cut in half, to $125,000. After the job
was completed, additional funds became available and items that had been
cut were added back in.
The architects on
the project also made sound design a low item on their checklist—thus,
they refused any proposal that required visible loudspeakers. "We had to
mount all components above the acoustic 'eyebrow,' which raised our
sound field higher in relationship to the audience than we would’ve
liked," Lima said.
All of this, and
construction overruns that gave Lima half the time he was originally
promised, put DJL behind the sonic eight-ball.
Lima recalled: "We
did make the deadline of the inaugural concert," a Brahms-Beethoven
program featuring the Claremont Concert Orchestra and Concert Choir.
"But it wasn't easy. We were tying up loose ends two months after the
building was in full use."
Work on
the audio system design, though, hit the ground running from the opening
note. "When the budget estimate first came out, the client was stupefied
at their cost and asked us for options," Lima said. "We agreed to put a
system together and do a blind 'shoot out' in front of about 20 music
professors and audio engineers." While most of the selected components
were familiar to DJL, they worked with MacPherson to create the M2X
Mid/Bass cabinet that the space required. According to Lima: "Speaking
with MacPherson, we quickly realized their willingness to do custom
items on a short time line."
To hear Lima tell
it, it's a story any performer can appreciate: the previously overlooked
understudy gets a shot at the lead role, comes out swinging, and winds
up outclassing the star they're replacing. In fact, the selected
configuration took the place of four top-of-the-line (and much
higher-priced) Meyer powered speakers that were part of the original
system proposal. As for the end result, "We put a system together, did
the shoot out and won handily over the Meyer loudspeakers," Lima said.
"Hence, we got the contract and the rest is history—thank you, MacPherson!"
In the
final layout, design, Cicchetti and Lima chose to use a rear-fill set of
delayed speakers, with two MX2 mid/bass cabinets and two horns out front
and another set halfway back in the room. All of the SCHOLAR Model 118
subs are up front.
Of course,
no performer can rise to the occasion without a supporting cast, and the
loudspeaker system is rounded out by a series of other outstanding
components. QSC power amps are used all around, with two amps used for
each frequency range (PL-236 for subs, PL-230s for the mids, PL-218s for
the highs). Sound mixing is handled by a Yamaha GA24-12 board.
"The system
can be used by a novice, but is not dumbed down," Lima said. "A
professional audio engineer will find the system to have every feature
and capability he has ever dreamed of."
Lima sounds
equally pleased when assessing the system's acoustic performance. "The
MacPhersons, coupled with the TAD high-frequency drivers, were all we
had hoped for and more. When looking at pink noise, the response looks
like a recording studio—and when listening to program material, it is as
warm and punchy as a high-end home stereo. This type of system is the
best for all types of audio sources, unless of course surround steering
is an issue, which in this facility it wasn’t."
Others who
have landed at the Garrison Theater apparently agree with Lima's hearty
assessment. "Everyone who has used the room loves it and wants to use it
regularly," he said. "The room has become the number one choice in an
area that boasts approximately six high-end performance halls in one
square mile."
