"This is a large, multi-phase project," explained Eric Evans, sales engineer at Audio Associates. "Most of the system is up and running, but as the work expands to other floors and other areas, we will be installing more SymNet Radius 12x8 DSPs and further SymNet xIn 12 and SymNet xOut 12 expanders."
Because the hotel is so fully booked, Audio Associates has to run double- and some-times triple-time to get the work done. The previous sound setup involved behemoth analogue systems with large racks of switches to deliver the necessary room combining functionality. "The bid provided lots of options for replacement systems," Evans continued. "I got prices for a number of possible product choices, but nothing was coming close to the cost-effectiveness that SymNet Ra-dius 12x8 could offer. And because the job was evolving and changing, the fact that we could net-work via Dante and add inputs and outputs at will with the SymNet xIn 12 and SymNet xOut 12 I/O expanders made Symetrix the best solution."
The meeting and ballroom spaces are spread out across three floors. Some of the original analogue mixers were repurposed for budgetary reasons, but everything else has been replaced or is slated for replacement. In total, four SymNet Radius 12x8 DSPs, eight units of SymNet xIn 12, and seven units of SymNet xOut 12 now provide input processing, loudspeaker conditioning and, critically, room combining functionality in a fraction of the space used by the old analog setup.
"Programming the Symetrix system was easy, which was very important given the time constraints we were working with," said Evans. "And once we had the system in place, the hotel requested tweaks which were remarkably quick and easy to implement."
A contracted AV company resides in-house to handle all of the Manchester Grand Hyatt's event production. "They love the new system because it's so much easier using Crestron control to make adjustments," said Evans. "Before, they had to run back to the equipment room every time. They're excited to have the entire system completed as now they also have comprehensive Symetrix ARC-WEB iPad control. Going forward, we'll be using Symetrix SymNet Dante-scalable DSPs for conference centres and the like because they have the performance, flexibility, programmability, and price-point that we need."
(Jim Evans)
