Benson Center for Arts and Learning

Creating a Multipurpose Performance Space for the Community

The Norman Public School District set out to transform an existing building into a flexible space for artistic, academic, and community use. The facility needed to support everything from student choir concerts and orchestral events to local community gatherings and large district conferences.To meet that goal on a tight timeline, ImageNet Consulting partnered with Fulcrum Acoustic to design a natural sounding room that could adapt to many types of performances while remaining accessible for non-technical staff to operate. “We engaged Fulcrum Acoustic very early on in this,”said Kyle Kempf, AV Director of ImageNet. “We had heard some of their immersive audio and their Active Acoustics in the past. We really saw this venue as a way to expand that idea and do it from the very beginning.” ‍

Designed for Acoustic Flexibility and Ease of Use

ImageNet specified Fulcrum’s Venueflex Immersive Processor with Active Acoustics and Object-Based Mixing technologies to meet the venue’s need for acoustic flexibility. Using Fulcrum One software, ImageNet and Fulcrum designed an Active Acoustics system that allows the staff to apply different virtual acoustic environments to the space. The flexibility to change virtual spaces allows the facility to enhance the audio for their varying performances; they can select a symphony hall for choral or orchestral performances or apply a small, controlled room for speeches and conferences. Users can select these environments with a single send on the console, keeping operation simple for t he school’s staff while introducing students to advanced audio technology. “We wanted to emulate what it’d be like to be in a different space but also dry it up if needs to be a simple performance,” said Kempf. “If they wanted to have a choir on stage and they wanted it to sound like they were in a big concert hall, we wanted them to push the signal through an auxiliary send, and no one does that better than Fulcrum Acoustic.”

Clear Sound Without Visual Distraction

The Venueflex processor and its immersive technologies are reinforced by a Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeaker system. Besides providing high-fidelity audio and even coverage, the system needed to preserve sight lines and maintain a clean stage view so that it would not distract from the space’s impressive new video wall. Fulcrum’s compact enclosures allowed the team to keep the system hidden above structural lines while maintaining even dispersion across the room. The main system utilizes passive cardioid technology and is comprised of 15 inch CCX1526 loudspeakers and dual 18-inch CS218L subwoofers. Additional 8 inch CCX896 loudspeakers provide perimeter support for the Active Acoustics system. 5.25 inch RX5 speakers are used for front fill along the stage lip, and 8 inch FX896 serve as stage monitors. The passive cardioid pattern of the CCX and CS models helps control rear energy, minimizing noise pollution on stage and the potential for microphone feedback.

A Space That Resonates With Audiences

The Norman Public School District is thrilled with the entire system. “The sound system has made a huge impact for audiences,”said Dr. Rob Bradshaw, Coordinator of Fine Arts at Norman Public Schools. “They can sit wherever they like in the space and get the same effect as if they’re in the best seat in the house. When a production is over, parents and families will stop by and congratulate us on what a wonderful space this is. They love the immersive aspect of it.”

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