Metinteractive (Mi), a woman-owned AV design and integration firm, has completed a major upgrade to Darien High School’s auditorium in Darien, Connecticut, US. The project included replacing the sound system with an EAW RSX Series self-powered line array, a 64-input Allen & Heath Avantis console, and high-quality microphones. The original large-box speakers hung over centre stage were replaced by stage-left and stage-right line arrays supported by subwoofers covering the orchestra pit and front seats.
The audio network features Q-SYS DSP with touch-panel control and a Cisco audio network. Acoustic issues from the hard back wall were addressed by motorised drapes to improve sound clarity.
The visual upgrade includes a permanent 40 x 20ft ElationLogic TL3.9 LED videowall upstage with hoist and power distribution, providing a versatile scenic backdrop for digital art and performances.
Streaming was modernised with a Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio 4K8 switcher, HyperDeck Studio 4K Pro recorder, and five Marshall Electronics HD PTZ cameras controlled remotely. Video playback runs on an Apple Mac mini.
Stage lighting was upgraded with retrofitted ETC Source Four LEDs, new ETC Source Four Series 3 Lustr fixtures, and Chroma-Q Color One LED washes controlled via an ETC Ion controller.
Additional upgrades include motorised masking drapes, motorised mic poles for orchestras, and Clear-Com FreeSpeak Edge wireless intercom systems.
Colleen Thompson, director of visual art and music, said: “It is one of the premier performing spaces in the area, and one of the largest in the region with almost 1,100 seats… Streaming had to sound just as good as if you were sitting in the audience.”
Tim Sorensen, musical theatre director at the school, added: “In such a large auditorium there had been lots of dead space. If you can’t hear, you can’t tell the story. Now, we’ve got the ability to really project music and voices. Everything sounds so much better, so much fuller in the space.”
Rich Gold, CTO, Metinteractive, concluded: “We enjoy working in performing arts spaces; many on our team have theatre backgrounds and understand these venues’ needs. The renovated auditorium now meets standards seen at the professional level.”
