L-Acoustics KARA set-up for Miami University’s Millett Hall

John D. Millett Hall on the Miami University campus in Oxford, Ohio has been upgraded with an L-Acoustics KARA system.

With the sports facility’s ageing PA system struggling to even accommodate announcements at events, the school previously had to hire Cincinnati-based L-Acoustics certified provider Loud & Clear to supply a sound reinforcement system each time it hosted a concert. Now, Loud & Clear has turned a satisfied rental client into an even happier fixed install client with the installation of an L-Acoustics KARA system.

Used for basketball and volleyball games, as well as concerts, the new sound system is comprised of left and right 12-enclosure KARA arrays flown on the north end of the court. Ground-stacked below each array is a stack of four SB28 subs arranged in a cardioid configuration. Six LA8 amplified controllers housed in custom racks power and process the entire system.

"The KARA system in Millett Hall is being used for everything from sporting events and concerts to lectures and graduation ceremonies," says Eric Cimini, installation manager at Loud & Clear. "One of the biggest things the client requested going into this project was that the coverage be extremely consistent throughout the entire venue. They wanted everyone to hear exactly the same thing – from the cheerleaders right below the PA to the athletes on the court to the final row of seats at the other end of the arena."

"With our new L-Acoustics system, we went from hearing multiple complaints about the sound at every event to hearing multiple compliments," added Brad Clark, facility director for Miami University’s Millet Hall. "Everyone has been absolutely thrilled with it; I’ve not heard a single complaint since it was installed.

"I’m really impressed with its coverage and range; the low end sounds so much better and really suits the University crowds. Plus, the L-Acoustics name is one that appears on every touring rider. In the past, we would typically contract out 10 to 15 events a year, whereas we’ll be able to do all of those in-house now."

The system was also designed to be portable so that it can be used in the Department of Music’s 735-seat Hall Auditoriumm or for outdoor concerts. Motorised hoists allow the arrays to be lowered and removed, while additional hardware allows the cabinets to be stacked or flown elsewhere on campus when required.

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