Since installing a Martin Audio loudspeaker system as part of multi-million dollar audio and video upgrade last year, America West Arena has found new uses for the ultra-flexible sound system.

Recently, they were able to re-configure the speaker clusters for the University of Phoenix Online graduation ceremonies. As described by AWA Audio Manager Carson Price the process was quick and relatively painless.

“When we set up for normal concerts or this type of event instead of our usual set-up in the round,” Price explains, “The stage goes at the north end. So we took our Northwest and Northeast clusters of the 12 Martin Audio W8LCs, moved them around and faced them in the proper direction, south.

“Then, we took those two clusters of 12 and moved them to the edge of the stage, like a normal concert and we have extension cables that live on our catwalk and drop down. So, we didn’t have to do any re-programming — we just muted the clusters we weren’t using and we were off to the races.”

He continued, “Because the Martin Audio W8LC rigging system is so ingenious and easy to work with, putting the system together didn’t take much time at all and saved on labour as well. We actually have an extra Crest 48-input console on the floor and we mix the event just like a concert.”

AWA hosted three graduation ceremonies over two successive days, each with approximately 1200 graduates. The results? As Price puts it, “The clients couldn’t have been any happier. You could hear every word of every speech. We had two podiums and video playback, and also recorded it on DVD for sale.”

A premier entertainment destination, America West hosts major concerts and tours, rodeos, AmWay shows, and religious shows with events that last a week.

AWA is also home to four pro teams: The Phoenix Suns of the NBA, the Arizona Rattlers of Arena Football, the WNBA Phoenix Mercury and a minor league hockey team, the Phoenix Roadrunners.

To recap, the overall system consists of eight clusters, with each cluster having different speaker combinations. The four main clusters have W8LC Compacts, and there are two clusters with four WLX subs and eight W8LM Minis; and two clusters with eight W8LX subs and two W8LM Minis.

To further accommodate concert work, the installer, Genesis Audio Systems, installed a wireless network, Crown IQ, with a graphic interface for the arena to allow control of the PA for the floor, a value-added feature. A production manager for any major music act going into America West Arena can feel confident that the house system will be his speakers for that night.

Why Martin Audio? Price elaborates: “We chose the Martin Audio line arrays because they offered intelligibility, clarity and performance level in terms of dynamic capability. That, plus the other aspect of being able to get sheer horsepower in the arena, and keeping it off reflective surfaces and at the audience to the best of our abilities.

“The music reproduction really is exceptional now,” Price concludes. “The teams have all kinds of intro music, dance performances and theme music. We have all kinds of events that require high fidelity and low end. Real rock and roll systems, like this one.”