Spalding District Bowls Club is some 50+ years old and has an active membership across all ages. The clubs facilities include the large international specification bowling carpet area, surrounding viewing areas, a bar and small cafe / restaurant. The Club has also enjoyed numerous of National & International honours.

Our client required an audio system installation to provide zone based coverage to the main bowling areas, the bar and cafe/restaurant. Background music (BGM) and wireless radio microphone system was required for events and competitions for competitor and team ‘walk-on’ / interviews.

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Background Music (BGM)
• Wireless microphone system

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• True Diversity wireless microphone system

Installation Details

The large open expanse of the main bowling hall / area was a particular challenge. We investigated and discussed the possibility of speaker installation to the suspended ceiling, but there was concern for any possible disruption or damage to the hallowed bowling carpet. It was decided to run cables and install speakers to the perimeter of this area – installing colour coded cable containment to help disguise against the brown brick walls.

Traditional 100v line audio was specified and installed. 2-way loud speakers were installed throughout to ensure high quality audibility and music playback. A number of local wall volume controls were also installed to provide control of music source and volume levels in the bar and cafe/restaurant areas.

A dual channel true diversity wireless radio microphone system was installed. Used for events and competitions these microphones enabled important communications to inform and co-ordinate staff and competitors as well as commentary announcements.

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Trent Valley Karting Club (TVKC) race events are held at the prestigious Paul Fletcher International (PFI) race circuit, which is the UK’s largest karting club and the home of British karting. A replacement karting podium sound system was required.

Abletek has supported TVKC & PFI at the site for many years, having completed many audio installations, changes and upgrades:

1. Event and Competition ‘Commentary’
2. Competitor and mechanics co-ordination ‘Paddock’
3. Awards, Ceremony and Hospitality

Audio Applications

• Licenced Wireless Microphones (events, competitions & ceremony)
• Awards, Podium ceremony

Audio Specification & Technologies

• True diversity / wireless microphone systems
• Pro audio, high ingress protection (IP66) column speaker arrays

Installation Details

The existing podium stands have undergone major refurbishment and upgrade. The existing speakers (music horns) were performing well, but were a bit “industrial looking” for the new look podium.

We specified a replacement karting podium sound system which included pro audio, column speaker arrays with high ingress & weather protection (IP66). Fixings and bracket rigs using standard event trussing connectors and clamps.

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The Home of British Gymnastics is based at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall. Through Sport England, the main gymnastics halls and associated training and support areas were stripped out and completely refurbished. Our client required a new audio system installation to run audio applications and services for training, events and competitions.

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Background Music (BGM)
• Foreground Music
• Audio Matrix / Zone Routing

Audio Specification & Technologies

• Network Audio Matrix with full DSP
• IP Audio (dedicated WiFi network)
• Local & Network audio streaming – for voice and music
• Software & App for system and user control
• Local wall inputs / audio source & events interface

Installation Details

The gymnastics facilities at the National Sports Centre are spread across a number of gyms ‘halls’ with associated training, support and public viewing areas. Working with Sport England, Abletek were identified and appointed the project specialists for the audio design and installation.

Central to the system design solution is an IP / Network based DSP audio matrix. The various gym halls and training facilities are divided into different zones – local wall input and control units were installed in each zone allowing audio to be routed as required. WiFi and Bluetooth receivers were installed into local wall interface panels. This was particularly important and useful for the gymnasts and their coaches for music based gymnastic routines. A dedicated WiFi network was created – system software used for control and management of the main system functions. An iOS / Android app used for additional user function, volume control and local / zone routing.

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Harrow School of Gymnastics is based in Harrow near to the main Harrow Leisure Centre and Skate Park. The main gymnastics hall, offices, mezzanine and viewing areas were stripped out and completely refurbished. Our client required a new audio sound system installation to run various audio applications for their gymnast training, events and competitions. Working through the main project and buildings M&E contractor, our installation works were scheduled, installed and coordinated with other appointed trade specialists.

Audio Applications

• Wireless Microphones (events, competitions and competitor ‘walk on’)
• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Background Music (BGM)

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, including x-over ‘Subs’ for extended performance
• True diversity / wireless microphones
• Multi-audio source wall interface panels
• DAB Radio, USB and Bluetooth receiver
• Local wall inputs / audio source & events interface

Installation Details

The gymnastics facilities at the Harrow School of Gymnastics are provided within large purpose built building. There is a single gym hall, ‘zoned’ into technical and discipline related gymnastic areas. There is also a large mezzanine level with offices and large viewing area. Our scope for this project was to design an audio system to provide the required audio applications, with flexible audio routing and control during the different possible gymnastics activity (eg. training, events and competitions).

Our design solution for this project was carefully considered. To balance capability against overall cost and to simplify the user interface and control, a traditionally amplified, 100v line solution was specified and installed. Based on three audio zones, we installed separate local wall interface panels, enabling zone based control as required (eg coaching staff could work with gymnasts on a floor routine to music). DAB radio & Bluetooth receivers were installed into local wall interface panels (allowing coach and gymnast music control and selection). This was particularly important and useful for the gymnasts and their coaches for music based gymnastic routines. To provide additional audio performance for events and competitions, extended low level bass performance & specialist x-over subwoofers ‘subs’ were also installed.

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Hunts Kart Racing Club (HKRC) is based in Kimbolton nr. Huntingdon. The club is some 50+ years old and is notable for a number of young drivers that went on to become professionals – such as Lewis Hamilton and Dan Wheldon.

Our initial engagement at this site was to survey, test and assess the existing installed audio systems. Previous racing meetings had shown up a number of performance issues and track side coverage speaker failings. Following our survey report and improvement recommendations, the club management asked us to conduct a series of upgrade and improvement works as follows:

• Installation of new speakers to the large rear ‘paddock’ area tree line
• Installation of additional commentary speakers to the track far side
• Local zone, speaker installation to the cafe & seating area
• Numerous cabling repairs and replacements
• Audio mixer and amplifier upgrades and protection with dedicated racking

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy (Commentary & Paddock)
• Wireless microphone systems x 2 (Commentary and Parc Ferme)
• Mass Notification

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• True Diversity wireless microphones

Installation Details

The existing audio installation at this site was old, much of the associated speaker line cabling and distribution had been poorly installed, often with incorrectly rated external fittings. Our first task was to survey, test and identify all areas of cabling infrastructure for improvement and/or replacement.

Our client employed groundsman contractors to install new ducting and armored cabling. A series of new pole based speakers were installed along the length of the rear paddock areas and also to the far side of the track. New cable jointing and terminations were made to many existing speakers and associated cable distribution points.

The HKRC site is mostly unoccupied when there are no race meetings. Historically, for safekeeping, the audio system equipment (mixers, amps, wireless and paging kit) was set-up and then removed / stored after each meeting. With time and a growing audio system, this had become a burden to the club management, cables and the equipment had also take their fair share of ‘bangs’ during this process. A suitably protected, permanently installed solution was required. To meet this, we installed all of the system equipment into secure heavy duty ‘flight case’ racking – allowing simple set-up and use for each meeting.

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Trent Valley Karting Club (TVKC) and Paul Fletcher International (PFI) is the UK’s largest karting club and the home of British karting. Based nr. Brandon and Grantham, TVKC occupies a large site with permanent, year round motor sports facilities. Comprising numerous buildings, offices, showrooms and professional servicing / engineering workshops – our client required a site wide audio system for three primary uses:

1. Event and Competition ‘Commentary’
2. Competitor and mechanics co-ordination ‘Paddock’
3. Awards, Ceremony and Hospitality

Audio Applications

• Licenced Wireless Microphones (events, competitions & ceremony)
• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Mass Notification

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• True diversity / wireless microphone systems
• Redundant / hot swap main system equipment
• Wider audio interfacing for live events broadcast (local and social media)

Installation Details

Our scope for this project was to design and install a number of audio systems to meet the client defined requirement and uses (events, competitions and Awards / Hospitality). Working directly with the track management, local facilities management team and race control officials, our audio design solutions were created and installed over a 2-3 year period. Significant improvements to local cabling infrastructures, with new cable containment and long-line speaker cabling installed.

Our design solution for this project was carefully considered. 100v line, high impedance audio was selected to provide quality audio transmission over long distances (especially for the perimeter track side commentary system). A number of licenced true diversity wireless microphone systems were installed – strategically positioned powered remote antenna used to provide long-range site wide coverage, whilst maintaining regulation radio power output.

In addition to the fixed audio systems, we also installed 3 separate wireless, radio microphone systems at this site. One system is used for driver briefing and parc ferme control, another system is used for commentary and the third system is used for hospitality and presentations. All systems were installed with remote powered antenna (full diversity) to extend range and improve audio quality, limit loss and drop-outs.

On most competition and events meetings, the site is very busy – 100’s of competitors and many more people providing support, event co-ordination and catering services. Reliability of audio service in support of many of the motoring and karting activities is hugely important. To ensure a high level of service and system availability, much of the audio system equipment was built in duplication with hot-spare redundancy – fail-over process activation by local TVKC management and racing control staff.

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Latchmere Leisure Centre is a large community sports and leisure site based in Battersea London. The existing audio system for this site was over 20 years old, with failing system components, our client required a new system installation. Working directly with the management team from the leisure centre, the scope of this project required audio coverage throughout (training studios, gyms, main gym hall, cafe, pool side, dry side and staff).

A multi-zone sound system was designed and installed to provide targeted audio capability as follows:

1. Pool Side (the main swimming pool and associated ‘wet’ areas)
2. Dry Side (pool related ‘dry’ areas)
3. Public (most of the public areas inc the cafe)
4. Studios (spinning and dance)
5. Gym Studio (fitness machines and weights)
6. Gym Hall

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Mass Notification

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• Specialist ingress protected ‘IP rated’ speakers for pool and ‘wet side’ areas
• Audio Zone Matrix

Installation Details

This project presented a number of installation challenges. In the main, all of the installation works were to take place during normal opening hours without any alteration to the leisure centre activity schedules. To meet this requirement, we worked with the local site maintenance team to plan access, cabling and speaker installation works in-between activity schedules, linking areas and speaker zones as and when access was available.

To simplify cabling installation works and to ensure service over particularly long cable routes, our system and distribution design for this project was based on 100v line, high impedance audio. Centralised audio system equipment was installed behind the leisure centre customer services desk – convenient location for staff volume and routing control (via the audio matrix). A multi-zone paging microphone was installed to provide user targeted audio to the various defined speaker output zones.

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