Design Sound NW (DSNW), the Portland, Ore.-based, system integrator and Biamp partner, completed a multi-year effort to upgrade the sound systems of the Chiles Center multi-purpose indoor arena and the Etzel Field baseball stadium located on the University of Portland campus.
The installations feature various Biamp products, including Tesira digital signal processors (DSPs) and amplifiers, Community IV6 line arrays, Community amplified loudspeaker controllers, and multiple types of Community indoor/outdoor loudspeakers. Biamp, is, of course, the Beaverton, Ore.-based, supplier of professional audiovisual solutions.
The project began in 2021 when the University of Portland first sought to upgrade the sound system at Etzel Field, the home of the university’s baseball team. With its open-air environment and varying crowd sizes, Etzel Field presented unique audio challenges that required a robust and flexible sound system. DSNW turned to Biamp Community and Tesira DSP solutions. The loudspeakers were selected for their ability to deliver powerful sound across long distances while including weather-resistant models to ensure durability and consistent performance regardless of weather conditions.
Chiles Center Transforms with Biamp Audio Overhaul
Following the success of the Etzel Field upgrade in 2022, DSNW embarked on completely overhauling the audio experience at the Chiles Center, the indoor arena with a seating capacity of 5,000 primarily for basketball, volleyball, and non-athletic events such as graduations and concerts. The existing sound system was outdated and struggled to meet the diverse audio needs of these events.
Courtesy / Biamp
The DSNW solution involved installing a comprehensive Biamp-based sound system featuring Community loudspeakers known for their clarity and power. The entire process took more than two years. From the initial concept design using the EASE acoustical modeler, DSNW worked through design criteria with Biamp engineers. There were major structural issues to address in the rigging hardware custom engineered by DSNW and Polar Focus.
Community loudspeaker arrays were strategically placed to ensure consistent sound coverage throughout the arena. As part of the engineered AV design, DSNW integrated Community amplified loudspeaker controllers to enhance audio precision and the performance of the loudspeaker arrays.
“The Biamp solutions corrected a 30-year-old, poorly performing system by bringing audio capabilities to a new, state-of-the-art level of exceptional performance,” says Craig Leppert, President, Design Sound NW, in reference to the Chiles Center. “Biamp is one of our go-to partners, and the Community IV6 line arrays are really mind blowing for the predicted-versus-real-world results.”
Joe Andrulis, EVP of corporate development at Biamp, says, “This multi-year, multi-venue effort brings unparalleled sound quality, exceptional audio clarity, and superior equipment reliability throughout the major sports and indoor events facilities at the University of Portland. The success of these installations serves as a model for other higher education institutions seeking to enhance large-venue audio capabilities, creating extraordinary experiences for audiences in either indoor or outdoor settings.”
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