CHARLESTON, WV – Audio Logic Systems (ALS), a leading provider of audio-visual solutions, in close collaboration with d&b audiotechnik, a global leader in professional audio technology, today announced the successful completion of a comprehensive technical upgrade at The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in Charleston, West Virginia. This extensive overhaul revitalizes the cultural hub, significantly enhancing its capabilities for a diverse range of performances and events.
The Clay Center, established in 2003, is a cornerstone of the Appalachian Mountain region’s cultural landscape, housing the Maier Foundation Performance Hall alongside its acclaimed science and art museums. The Maier Foundation Performance Hall, a 1,883-seat venue celebrated for its acoustics and sightlines, hosts everything from orchestral concerts and Broadway productions to national touring acts.
The extensive upgrade within the Maier Foundation Performance Hall features a state-of-the-art d&b audiotechnik sound system. This includes XSL and KSL series line arrays, complemented by E, Y, and xS series point source speakers. Powering this advanced system are d&b’s 5D, 40D, and D90 amplifiers, with all routing via a DS10 Audio network bridge.
The impetus for this significant project stemmed from several critical challenges. Much of the original equipment was nearing the end of its lifecycle, experiencing frequent failures, and becoming unrepairable. Additionally, the existing main PA system, despite being only ten years old, was over-covering the room, leading to excessive reverberation and a significant loss of audio clarity. Furthermore, the outdated cable infrastructure proved incompatible with modern standards, lacking essential network and fiber connections.
John Simshauser, Director of Operations at Audio Logic Systems, commented on the project’s objectives: “Our primary goals were to address the failing equipment, rectify the clarity issues in the main PA, and modernize the entire cabling infrastructure. The new d&b system directly solved the audio challenges, while a complete overhaul of the cabling, leveraging existing conduit where possible, brought the Clay Center’s technical backbone into the 21st century.”
d&b audiotechnik was selected for this project due to its renowned pattern control and neutral voicing across its diverse speaker lines. “The ability of d&b’s speakers to provide precise pattern control was a critical factor in resolving the room’s clarity issues,” Simshauser added. The chosen line array and point source speakers offer exceptional flexibility, catering to everything from high-energy contemporary music to Broadway shows and classical performances, with three arrays and seven individually controllable fill speaker zones.
A significant challenge during the project involved the extensive cabling infrastructure. ALS systematically tested and evaluated existing cabling to determine what could be reused, removed, or added. The outcome is a highly flexible cable and fiber infrastructure boasting over 340 fiber end terminations across ten switches and twenty plates.
Initial feedback from the Clay Center has been overwhelmingly positive. The audio quality has been praised for its exceptional clarity and even coverage throughout the hall, from the front row to the top balcony. The new PA system now harmonizes with the room’s natural acoustics, resulting in a stunning sonic experience. Regarding the infrastructure upgrade, one client remarked, “In three months ALS has taken us from the Mayflower to the Starship Enterprise,” underscoring the dramatic transformation.
The project also extended its benefits to the Walker Theater within the Clay Center. The addition of a new QSC Q-SYS processor, touch screen controls with integrated d&b monitoring, and 70-volt speakers dramatically enhanced the building-wide paging and audio distribution capabilities. Previously, communication between the four distinct sections of the building (performance hall, back of house, front of house/lobby, and multi-floor museum) was limited. Now, with a QSC Q-sys control system, the Clay Center enjoys expansive paging options, including an all-building page. Furthermore, the QSC Q-sys control system, coupled with Martin Audio CDD6 speakers, has transformed the lobby into a fully AV-capable event space.
This comprehensive technical upgrade positions The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences at the forefront of cultural venues, providing a world-class experience for artists and audiences alike for years to come.
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