Oriole Park Sound Reinforcement

Maryland Stadium Authority, Baltimore, MD

Challenge:

Our company has a long and grand history with one of the most beautiful baseball stadiums in the country, Oriole Park at Camden Yards. This includes designing the original sound system, which premiered at the stadium's home opener against the Cleveland Indians on April 6, 1992. In late 2008, AVI-SPL was approached with the opportunity to improve the dynamics of the original sound system. The challenge would include converting the stadium's old system from analog to digital, and ensuring that the complex system revolved around user-friendly control and functionality.

Solution:

With seating for nearly 50,000, this fan favorite venue now offers a complex, yet seamless array of sound innovations. Ready in time for the April 6, 2009 game opener against the Yankees, the new Oriole Park sound system features a wide range of EAW weather-protected products. This includes clusters of front, down and rear-firing loudspeakers on each seating level, as well as outfield and concourse systems. SIA specified a combination of EAW AX, FX and MK series products for the majority of front, down-fire and rear-fire roles, respectively.

No matter their location, fans get a full, crisp, audio effect of being right there on the field, experiencing every crack of the bat and slide into home. An enhanced EAW digital signal processor covers the loudspeakers, with the system also incorporating BSS for system control, 110 Crown power amplifiers and a 48-channel Yamaha digital mixing console fitted with digital output cards. A digital audio network is utilized for signal distribution throughout the stadium, minimizing signal loss and improving reliability and control while capitalizing on the facility’s existing data infrastructure for both audio distribution and control. Remote monitoring and control of every amplifier channel is also provided.

In addressing the need for user-friendly operations over this advanced system, the use of System Architect by Harman fits particularly well with this system and the needs of the client. Systems operation and monitoring are made easier, tying the DSP processing and amplifier control system into one cohesive package.

View Sound & Video Contractor's in-depth coverage of this installation by clicking here.

Photos courtesy of SIA Acoustics