Mandela Hall, Queen's University - Lighting and Sound Installation
	Venue: Mandela Hall, Queens University Location: Belfast, UK Venue-type: Concert hall
	Queen's University Belfast is the first UK installation of the Aspect high-efficiency sound reinforcement system which debuted in the Mandela Hall at this year's Fresher's Ball - featuring local rockers Ash - in front of a 1500-strong student audience. After a 16-week refurbishment project with a budget of £1.5 million, Queen's University's new PA system comprises six TA-880H tri-amped mid-high cabinets, plus six TA-880HM downfills, eight TA-880L bass units, four TSW-124 subs, and two TA-890H used as in-fills - all powered by MC2 E25 and E45 power amplifiers with XTA processing. Queen's entertainments manager at the Student Union, Rod Martin explained their choice of Aspect: "We go back a long way with Turbosound, installing a Floodlight system in 1995 that has been a great servant to us, and was particularly good for the live bands. When we got the green light to refurbish the Mandela Hall, we set aside a total of £250k for the a/v budget, and we went out to tender. We had a very clear idea of what we wanted, needing to cater for the range of dance, live bands, club nights and live comedy. Given our confidence in Turbosound, I felt confident that they would deliver. We did an A/B comparison with Aspect and Floodlight, and there was a striking difference with the high-end clarity in particular. We also have a regular club night - Shine - for which the guys like seriously high SPLs and a high impact sound. They wanted something that would give both excellent coverage and some pretty high levels. "With Aspect, we now have a five-way system that has opened up the complete frequency range to us. The Shine team are getting a really extreme sound - the levels are typically 125dB - with 14dB headroom! The live bands that have played already have been really happy with the system, and our first stand-up comedian to check it out this week was amazed by the clarity. We had a bit of fine-tuning to do, but with Mick Williams and Turbosound's help, we have got a great result." The project involved close co-operation between the Queen's team, consultant Mick Williams of Symonds Group, installers and suppliers Production Services Ireland, and the Turbosound technicians who had a dedicated application engineer involved on the project all the way through. The Aspect installation at Queen's University features a left and right flown system, each cluster comprising one row of three TA-880H trapezoidal Aspect cabinets with a row of three TA-880HM high-mid downfills. Infill is provided by one TA-890H touring Aspect cabinet on either side, flown high to keep them out of sight lines and angled steeply down. Space was at a considerable premium and the narrow width of the TA-880H trapezoidal cabinet has allowed a very powerful cluster to be hung in a very tight space. The very tightly controlled dispersion of Aspect allowed an overall design that addressed the room challenges, as well as the aesthetic issues of keeping a clean sightline and a low profile system. A mix of TA-880L double 15" bass cabinets and TSW-124 single 24" subs complete the five-way system design, adding trouser-flapping but fast and accurate low frequency transients. Lighting and dimming was Avolites ART 2000 (48's) and Pearls, installing a complete infrastructure and ground support truss system that self climbs for ease of rigging. Production Services Ireland project was overseen by Brian Reilly - Owner of production Services Ireland.