Allen & Heath Takes Starring Role in Planetarium AV Refit

An Allen & Heath dLive system has been installed in the Armagh Planetarium and Observatory in Northern Ireland as part of a full AV refit of this important research and education facility.

The installation was recently completed by well-known pro AV distributor and integrator, Rea Sound, which has been working on the project in multiple phases over the past two years. The resulting AV solution provides much greater independent control over the venue’s various zones, together with the flexibility to accommodate corporate hires.

All audio across the site is managed by a dLive DM0 MixRack before being fed to a Kramer VS-3232 digital matrix switcher. A pair of iPad Minis running the A&H Custom Control app provide everyday audio control: one at reception for paging the various zones, plus another roaming tablet for source and level adjustments wherever needed. The iPads are supplemented by IP1 wall plate remote controllers in the boardroom, conference room and offices, giving non-technical staff straightforward volume control. 

“Apart from better audio throughout, one of the main criteria for the client was the ability to send paging announcements or background audio to different zones, something that wasn’t possible with their existing system,” explains Rea Sound project manager, Roger McMullan. “Another important consideration was the need for user-friendly control options that all team members would feel comfortable with. The dLive system has so much flexibility to meet all these needs, with plenty of capacity to grow and evolve with the Planetarium’s ambitious plans for the future.”

 

The facility’s main conference venue accommodates up to 200 people and features a trio of 3.5m projection screens, plus laser projection and three hangs of four Martin Audio O-Line speakers. An AB168 I/O expander allows anything from a single presenter or interactive panel discussion to a full live band for a corporate event to be easily connected to the dLive system.  

The visitor experience in the Planetarium’s projection dome is enhanced by an Allen & Heath SQ-5 console for audio control.