AV Case Study: Geraldton Turf Club
A historic WA racetrack gets a fresh audio system and top-notch control setup.
15 July 2024
Text:/ Preshan John
The Geraldton Turf Club, the oldest provincial race club in Western Australia, is a key player in the region’s racing scene. Known for its exciting races, the club attracts large crowds who expect top-tier amenities, including a crystal-clear audio system for announcements, race commentary, and smooth event management.
Despite its prestigious status, the Geraldton Turf Club struggled with an outdated sound system that failed to deliver clear speech, crucial for enhancing the race day experience. Additionally, the old setup was a hassle for the staff, requiring constant manual adjustments.
“The sound system at the Geraldton Turf Club was an embarrassment, an ad hoc system added to over many decades that was the source of constant complaints,” said David Wrensted, Manager of Geraldton Turf Club.
The club needed a modern, user-friendly audio solution. They turned to 65Thirty Events, a local business, to design and install an upgraded system.
Lane Place, owner of 65Thirty Events, led the project with a clear mission: “Geraldton Turf Club came to us to essentially update and future-proof their system. The install took around four months because we had to work around horse training and race days. We kept their system operational until we were ready to do a full cutover. When we fully transitioned to the new system everyone was very impressed.”
COVERAGE & CONTROL
At the core of the new setup is the MediaMatrix NION N3 audio-over-IP solution, running on Dante. Lane admitted, “MediaMatrix is a new product to me. NAS was amazing with their knowledge of the product. They put us onto a subcontractor who helped us with the programming and he was incredible.”
The MediaMatrix NION system manages all audio zones, inputs, outputs, volumes, and ducking, acting as a fader-less mixer across the venue. This ensures balanced audio for all areas of the Turf Club.
The system’s intuitive control is another highlight. Staff use wall-mounted MediaMatrix sTOUCH-55 touch panels with a simple interface. Lane emphasised, “User-friendliness was a key requirement. In the past, staff had to adjust volumes depending on the race’s location. The new setup is completely dummy-proof. When the commentator speaks, it ducks everything out underneath, so the operators don’t have to worry about it.”
David Wrensted praised the design: “The streamlined system and dedicated areas have made monitoring and control incredibly easy. With varying crowd sizes and people moving around, we can quickly adjust to provide a listenable sound system that’s not overpowering.”
The installation included various inDESIGN loudspeakers for different areas. “We installed about 42 speakers in total, with ID-MH1512 music horns outdoors, iD-BGM8s under eaves in bars and picnic areas, iD-BGM6s in the Tab area, and iD-PCS8 premium in-ceiling speakers in members areas,” Lane detailed. Members and sponsors, known for their high expectations, were particularly pleased. Cloud CA2250EK and InterM DPA-600S amplifiers power the loudspeakers.
The inDESIGN iD-MH1512 music horns stood out for their easy installation and clear audio over long distances, perfect for a racetrack. Lane noted, “Being 100V line, it’s a single cable run with minimal labor. We recently used the horns at the ANZAC Day service with 4,000 people, and everyone raved about the sound. That’s why we use inDESIGN; the sound, the price point, the warranty – it all makes sense to us.”
The MediaMatrix system also offers future-proofing. Lane added, “The choice of MediaMatrix came down to its cost-effective future expandability. Adding another Cat6 cable into a Dante receiver allows for endless expansion. The user interface’s simplicity was also a huge selling point.”
FINISH LINE
The project was a hit. Lane reported, “I talked to the members to make sure they’re happy, and they’ve been very impressed with the system, along with the whole committee at Geraldton Turf Club.”
Instead of fielding endless complaints, David Wrensted now receives lots of positive comments: “Without exception, the feedback from the public and stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive: ‘Finally, we can hear the races clearly’; ‘Thank God that high-pitch screech is gone’; ‘It’s so good to hear the race call and know where the horses are’; ‘My ears will finally survive a day at the races.’”
Reflecting on the upgrade, David said, “An important factor in the upgrade was to future-proof the sound system. We believe 65Thirty Events has delivered that and more. It has given the Club a professional edge almost overnight, solving the long-running issues with our PA system.”
Thanks to 65Thirty Events, and the suitability of MediaMatrix and inDESIGN products, the Geraldton Turf Club is now well-equipped to provide an exceptional experience for its patrons and members for many years to come.
65Thirty Events: 65thirty.com.au
NAS: nas.solutions
Geraldton Turf Club
71 Eastward Rd, Geraldton
geraldtonturfclub.com.au
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