An Electro-Voice sound reinforcement system has been installed in a $4m renovation of Plainfield High School, located in Plainfield, New Jersey. A recent ribbon cutting inaugurated the improved auditorium, as well as a new eSports gaming arena, and black box theatre.
PureTek Group, of nearby Boonton, New Jersey, designed and installed the Electro-Voice sound reinforcement systems for each venue. Each EVA line array comprises three EVA-2082S/906, two EVA-2082S/1220 loudspeaker elements and two EVA-2151D subwoofers.
Each full-range EVA element features two 8in woofers and four 1.25in compression drivers mounted to two Hydra planar wave generators. A wide range of coverage patterns are available for precise configuration and coverage. EVA’s crossover and driver design is designed to minimise power and DSP requirements. Meanwhile, EVA’s hidden internal rigging design contributes to their sleek appearance.
The under-balcony seating area is covered by eight EVC-1122-95B compact loudspeakers. The EVCs are mounted along the lip of the balcony with black EVC-UB2 brackets, adding to the low-profile look. The system in the auditorium is powered by seven Dynacord DSP amplifiers – three C3600FDi (2x 1800W) and four C2800FDi (2x 1400W).
Dan Litvin, president of PureTek Group, said: “The auditorium was completely refurbished to serve as a hub for school performances, community events and assemblies. We outfitted the auditorium, which seats 1,525 people, with left-right Electro-Voice EVA line arrays to cover the main seating area and EVC loudspeakers for balcony fill.”
The black box theater is a new addition to Plainfield High School’s fine arts programme. The PureTek team wall-mounted two EVC-1122-95B loudspeakers to the right and left of the stage for ample coverage. One Dynacord C1300FDi amplifier powers the system. The space, which existed prior to the renovation, is now equipped for dramatic arts education, professional development, experimental theatre, or for use as a smaller performance space.
Litvin commented: “When we began the project, the black box theatre room had zero technology. Now, it is a room with unlimited possibilities for the fine arts programme, the school district and the community. The EVC loudspeakers are an integral part of the room’s success.”
The last addition to the fine arts programme was the creation of an eSports arena. Since the early 2000s, eSports (electronic sports) has developed into a competitive gaming platform that allows students to compete against other high schools via a streaming platform. The new eSports arena is equipped with three EVID-P6.2 pendant ceiling speakers and EVID–S12.1 compact subwoofers powered by a four-channel Dynacord V600:4 600W 4-channel amplifier.
PureTek also created a network that streams the competitions from the eSports arena onto a large screen in the auditorium, allowing eSports fans to view them in the larger space. Microphones placed strategically in the auditorium record the crowd’s cheers, which are played back live in the eSports arena over the pendant speakers.
