Contact:

Jeff Thompson, VP/Exhibits

“The Detroit Science Center, founded by Detroit businessman and philanthropist Dexter Ferry nearly 30 years ago, was among the first centers for scientific exploration and learning in the country to include an IMAX Dome Theatre. An  exhibit floor and program plan  encouraged hands-on interaction, exploration and study of science and technology. Plans to transform the Science Center into a leading center for science education began in late 1998. In December 1999, the Science Center broke ground on its $30 million expansion and renovation.    The New Detroit Science Center re-opened its doors as the  centerpiece of the Detroit 300  festivities.”

(excerpt from DSC website)

The Task: To provide a comprehensive sound system for the Detroit Science Center, The system needed to integrate elements from the  Science Stage, Sparks Theatre, Motion Lab and the  Environmental Hut. Each system  needed to be controlled through a central, digital signal, processing unit with the ability to function as individual zones for public address or as one complete zone, covering the whole building.  

The Solution: Tom Luczycki,  Project Lead - Exhibits, at the Science Center called on Advanced Lighting & Sound to provide presentation audio systems for the new display areas.  The renovation had to be completed by June 30, 2001, so deadlines were crucial. Due to the chaotic schedule of finishing construction and installing displays, Advanced was limited with its install window. “ As the deadline came closer we had less and less time to complete our job, “ said Bob Sheridan, Field Supervisor, for Advanced, “ we decided to prep everything in the shop, down to the clamping hardware for the speakers, and deliver the items on site ready for install.” “This concept allowed Advanced to complete the install and wiring in four evenings.

The Science Stage, Sparks Theatre, Motion Lab and the Environmental Hut exhibits use  a wall mounted rack which comprises the main  system components. The rack includes an Intellix AMIX 8 auto mixer, 3 Sennheiser wireless mic systems, an Audix OM3 mic and a Tascam CD cassette/combo playback unit. The rack also includes a Crown CH-1 amp, a remote volume control, and an A/C sequencing system for power up. (The “Razzmatazz” was a concept Advanced Lighitng & Sound came up with to be able to route audio from a single exhibit to one or all of the connected sub systems.) 

Next to the Science Stage, a central rack  houses a Crown IQ-USM 810, the  system processor for all of the sub systems, which routes  the individual system inputs to the entire facility. It features room EQ, compression / limiting and digital delay for all of the zones and additional fill speakers placed around the main exhibit spaces. “ The cabling infrastructure was designed to allow for an in house TV cable connection as well as  audio, video, and computer interface throughout the facility,” says Greg Koss,  Systems  Integrator at  Advanced Lighting & Sound.

Since the Science Center caters to kids and adults of all ages, a Listen Technology System (including 7 transmitters with 75 receivers) was installed throughout the facility for people needing assistance in hearing. “ We chose  Listen Systems because it offers a single tunable receiver with multi-channel capabilities,  and rechargable batteries. This means a visitor can tune into each individual exhibit as they pass by it, by just pressing one of the presets.”

 Something incredible is waiting to be known.” - Carl Sagan