Meyer Sound UPQ Loudspeaker Brings Top Game to Texan Dome at South Plains College

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"This facility is the showplace for our community and it was due an upgrade like this. The quality delivered through this sound system is so much better than the one we used previously. It has made the audio at our public events a lot clearer for the audiences." - Dr. Kelvin Sharp President, South Plains College

The Texan Dome at South Plains College (SPC) revealed its newly installed Meyer Sound UPQ-1P loudspeaker system at this year's graduation ceremony, leveraging exceptional intelligibility to ensure students and family register every word of the commencement presentations with utmost clarity.

A replacement of the aged equipment purchased from the University of Texas in 1971, the Meyer Sound system was part of the college's modernization efforts to draw its athletic prospects' attention to superior facilities that also include a fitness complex built in 2002. "This is our biggest recruiting tool," says Athletic Director Joe Tubb. "Once we get them here, it's the people that they like. But, you have to get them here first."

The new system also presents a giant leap in the sound quality for public gatherings at the venue, including livestock judging contests and other award ceremonies. "This facility is the showplace for our community and it was due an upgrade like this," says Dr. Kelvin Sharp, president of the college. "The quality delivered through this sound system is so much better than the one we used previously. It has made the audio at our public events a lot clearer for the audiences."

A distributed system, highlighting 26 UPQ-1P loudspeakers and four UPJ-1P VariO loudspeakers, is permanently flown from the catwalk. A Galileo loudspeaker management system with two Galileo 616 processors is used for signal drive and control. System design was coordinated by Addison, Texas-based consultant Acoustic Dimensions.

"Once you hear the UPQ, you can immediately tell it's a Meyer product," says Matt Quick, assistant professor in sound technology at South Plains College. "The horn is very smooth, and definitely performs the way you would expect. It's the difference between understanding what somebody said and not."

Additional Meyer Sound equipment, including the UPJ-1P, UPA-1P, UPA-2P, UPM-1P loudspeakers, and USW-1P subwoofers, comprise a portable setup that complements the permanent arena system when a larger system is needed. The additional equipment is also used in other campus areas for events that require sound reinforcement, and is set up and operated by students of South Plains's Live Sound Certificate program, the first of its kind in Texas.

"As part of the Live Sound program's curriculum, our students help handle the school's AV requirements in exchange for hands-on experience in the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of audio systems," adds Quick. "Now as they handle the sound reinforcement needs for a performing ensemble or an employee breakfast, they get to practice with the industry-standard equipment from Meyer Sound."

Tubb is pleased with the result of the upgrade, and looks forward to hosting South Plains's sports fans and candidates in the renovated Texan Dome. "The new sound is great—whether you are listening to a speaker or live music or play-by-play, it's a great system," he says. "It's state-of-the-art and simple to use. We're truly satisfied."

The Meyer Sound UPQ-1P loudspeaker is a winner of the 2009 Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Award, the Musikmesse International Press Award, and Live Design's Sound Product of the Year.

November, 2009

UPQ-1P

UPJ-1P

UPA-1P

UPA-2P

UPM-1P

USW-1P

Galileo 616