The HiQnet-enabled amplifier racks consists of 29 Crown I-Tech devices. They are made up with seven I-Tech IT 4000 models, 16 IT 6000 models and six Crown IT 8000 models. They power a left, centre, right and stereo delay loudspeaker configuration, which drives 16 JBL VERTEC VT4889 full-size, three-way line arrays and 12 JBL VERTEC VT4880A arrayable subwoofers.
The section in the centre has three JBL VERTEC VT4887 compact line array elements. Four JBL PD5322/64 loudspeakers are installed for delay and there are six JBL Pro MS 28 front stage lip speakers. The HiQnet system is configured and controlled with HiQnet System Architect software from the console to the amplifier.
Jim Esher, technical manager of Caesars Atlantic City operations, said: “The Caesars audio team of Paul Swenson and Dave Wink can manage everything from either the front-of-house and/or monitor position laptops thanks to HiQnet.”
When acts bring their own consoles, they can plug into the dbx DriveRack 4800 system processors and can use either analogue or digital inputs with EQ parameters through the 4800s to access the system.
Cisco switches are used to manage network traffic, rather than looping through all the amplifiers. The house processing is done internally in the amplifiers’ digital signal processing section.
“Each amp rack has a 1GB 48-port Cisco switch in it, which handles all the HiQnet routing and switching to the amplifiers enabling the HiQnet control and monitoring interface to be either at FOH or monitor position,” said Esher. “Then the entire system is connected via fibre optic, using AES EBU digital audio connections.”
