Wireless First Provides Wireless Microphones and Intercom for Schuster Opening

Dayton, OH (April 11, 2003)--The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Center for the Performing Arts opened on March 1, in Dayton, OH with an "Evening of Stars" event to mark the debut of the $121.5 million venue. The new facility is expected to draw 500,000 people to 200 performances during its first full year of operation.

The center, which is adjoined by a condominium and office tower, also incorporates the 150-seat Mathile Black Box Theatre, rehearsal space, and a glass-covered winter-garden atrium that can accommodate 1,000 people. The 2,300-seat Mead Theatre at the Schuster Center provides a new home for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Opera and Dayton Ballet Company, who were all featured on opening night.

Steve Colby of Evening Audio Consultants (New Hampshire) took the reins as audio producer for the event, using a new Innova-Son Compact Sy40 digital console at front-of-house. "The console did everything that it needed to do," remarked Colby, who was using the desk for the first time. No stranger to Innova-Sons, Colby is a senior sound engineer for the Boston Pops and a frequent engineer and consultant for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which last year installed an Innova-Son Compact Live at its historic Symphony Hall as part of a new sound system designed and installed by his company.

According to Colby, the PA system for the gala was primarily composed of the center's own custom EAW system. "We had additional monitor gear brought in from LIVE Technologies, from Columbus, OH," he added. RF microphone specialist Kevin Sanford's New York and Boston-based Wireless First supplied Sennheiser MKE 2 miniature lavalier microphones and bodypacks for use by the hosts and performers.

Referring to the desk, Colby noted, "The big change is that you now have the advantage of stereo inputs and stereo group/aux outputs." The console supports up to 72 physical inputs and 48 outputs through 48 faders: 32, including eight stereo, for the 40 input channels, 12 faders for the stereo mix busses, and three faders for the LRM/C masters, plus an automation control fader. "It has 24 mono and eight stereo inputs," he added, "with three main outputs and 12 stereo group/aux outs."

Press release from Pro Sound News web site.