By Greg Ellison
(Feb. 20, 2020) After investing roughly $50,000 with Mid South Audio for high fidelity gear, vastly improved acoustics are anticipated at the Ocean Pines Association Yacht Club ballroom, along with superior sound at the still-under-construction golf course clubhouse.
Marketing and Public Relations Director Josh Davis said the new budget includes approximately $32,000 for sound gear at the new golf clubhouse and roughly $17,000 for replacement equipment at the yacht club.
Although not the lowest bidder, Mid South of Georgetown, Delaware was selected because it is a trusted vendor who recently installed a new sound system in the OP community center building, Davis said.
Matt Ortt Companies CEO Ralph DeAngelus welcomed news of the high-end sound equipment acquisitions.
DeAngelus was equally excited about launching the new golf clubhouse with superior sound capabilities as well as addressing previously poor audio at the yacht club.
“That’s why they’re doing, because it was definitely subpar,” he said.
Mid South Audio Associate Director of Operations Mike LeCates said both sound packages feature the Q-SYS Ecosystem by QSC, a scalable and adaptable software-based DSP [digital audio signal processor] platform.
“This platform allows for a fully customized solution for audio control to meet the client’s needs,” he said. “It also allows for easy integration of other AV assets like projectors, screens, video switchers, etc., all controlled by a single platform with customized … controls to allow the end users to focus on their business.”
LeCates said the golf clubhouse system is centered on the QSC CORE 110f, the smallest of the Q-SYS cores, which has the power of Intel processing, and the reliability of a Linux operating system.
“The CORE 110f has eight inputs, eight outputs, and eight flex channels that handle the bulk of inputs and outputs needed for the clubhouse, including local inputs in the meeting room for microphones, local inputs in the restaurant areas for DJs, and even an outdoor input for announcements during Golf tournament,” he said.
The clubhouse sound system will include two power amplifiers, both network and analog, that feature FlexAmp and FAST (Flexible Summing Amplifier Technology) and both provide smooth power distribution.
“The network amplifier, a QSC CX-Q 2K4, is one of the newest network amplifiers from QSC providing four channels at 500 watts per channel,” he said.
The CX-Q amplifier was released in March 2019 by California manufacturer QSC, which has been in operation for over half a century.
“The higher wattage of this amplifier is used for the larger restaurant and meeting room zone of the clubhouse, along with the outdoor speakers designed for paging and announcements during golf tournaments,” he said.
LeCates said the analog amplifier, a QSC MP-A80V, is part of the manufacturers’ new commercial amplifier lineup and provides eight channels at 200 watts each.
“This amplifier is designed for high efficiency and low total cost of ownership by using Class-D output circuitry along with power saving features like auto-standby with a seamless auto-ramp feature when signal returns,” he said.
The eight channels offered by the MP-A80V amplifier will be used for ceiling speakers in multiple zones including the Pro Shop, bag room, club fitting room, main entrance, restrooms, outdoor patio, kitchen, & offices.
“Speakers for the interior of the clubhouse include a combination of QSC Acoustic Design and Acoustic Coverage ceiling speakers,” he said.
LeCates said the in addition to nine ceiling speakers, the clubhouse meeting room will also feature a Sony laser projector and Draper electric screen with a local video connection for presentations and events.
The main restaurant will also feature nine ceiling speakers, with an additional 18 for other interior building areas.
“Outdoor areas [including the patio and golf cart staging area] will be covered by One Systems direct weather outdoor loudspeakers that also offer high corrosion resistance even in salt-air,” he said.
The new audio setup approved for the yacht club is also built around the Q-SYS Ecosystem and the QSC CORE 110f.
LeCates said the CORE 110f is capable of handling the array of inputs and outputs required for the Yacht Club, including local inputs in the upstairs room for microphones and DJ inputs, along with existing sources and background music sources.
The yacht club’s new audio gear also features the QSC MP-A40V amplifier, which provides four channels at 200 watts per, which will power JBL CBT 100LA-1-WH Straight Line Array Column speakers.
“Each amplifier channel gets one speaker and the speakers feature a switchable coverage pattern and an easily adjustable mount to provide the most flexibility for the various applications,” he said.
The yacht club system will also include a QSC GX3 amplifier that provides two channels at 300 watts each for the new
Photo: Courtesy Ocean Pines Association
The Ocean Pines Association’s fiscal 2020/2021 budget approved on Tuesday includes roughly $50,000 for sound equipment purchases, including $17,000 for replacement power amplifiers and speakers at the yacht club and $32,000 to install a sound system at the new golf clubhouse.
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“These subwoofers are used to round out the sound from the JBL CBT 100LA-1WH and provided additional low end support for DJs and media playback,” he said.