A new CODA Audio sound system is servicing the UK’s first ever permanent indoor BMX track, which is part of the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

The audio system was designed and installed by Liverpool, UK-based ADLIB Solutions, co-ordinated through their specialist installation division.
It follows another CODA system supplied by ADLIB last year to the adjacent Velodrome track, after which Manchester City Council asked them back to deliver a permanent multi-purpose audio solution at The BMX Centre.

The ADLIB team was led by Roger Kirby and John Hughes, and overseen on site by Alex Burke.

CODA was specified for many reasons including continuity with the Velodrome system as it offers the sonic range and dynamics demanded by the BMX Centre, which stages a whole range of events including those organised with local community groups. These include Urban Expression, a weekly youth night focusing on urban sports and music plus numerous other national and international BMX track events.

“The main objective was to provide a very flexible system to handle loud music and hyper-enthusiastic commentators without excessive breakout, while minimising environmental disturbances to nearby residential properties,’
explains Roger Kirby.

The design’s starting point was to optimise the audio coverage and reduce potential environmental noise pollution. On the latter task, ADLIB worked closely with the venue’s preferred acoustic consultants, Sound Space Design, which endorsed their system design.

Another requirement was to have a system straightforward enough to be operated by the venue’s general events staff on a day-to-day basis.
The speakers are configured to minimise reflections within the space’s challenging acoustic environment.

Covering the centre of the main seating stands are four hangs of four CODA Airline LA8 speakers, each with an Airline LA8 sub on top of each hang, complete with all the necessary flying accessories.

The main stands’ front left and right positions are covered with four CODA G712 / 96 speakers, and for the extreme rear left and right corners of the stand, two CODA G308 delay speakers are deployed.

At the starting gate positions on both ramps are four ADLIB AA81i speakers.
To minimise the sound spillage, the whole system is configured as 10 independent sound zones across the stands. This allows fine tuning of the levels and speaker operations in these spectator-only areas.

The LA8 loudspeakers enhance the overall spectator listening experience with their uniform cross-axis frequency response that feature planar technology; their coherent spectral response and their high output gain. The light weight – in relation to physical size – offered many hanging options, effectively to simplify the installation into a point-source speaker solution.

For control, ADLIB specified a BSS Soundweb “London Architect’ system network incorporating a BLU-100 device with BLU-LINK connectivity for the simultaneous broadcast of audio signals and microphone sources via Ethernet. The Blu-100 will be used as the source feed for event commentary, DJ systems and visiting sound mixers to tie into the installed system. An intelligent system processor with on-board calendar configuration allows complete control and sound level limiting, and can be programmed with different pre-sets for times of day and days of the week.

The 19-metre trim height of the structural ribs in the building’s ceiling – from which the sound system is flown – provided additional challenges as the installation had to include the help of a self-propelled aerial working platform.

By Louise Stickland.