LVPR_IrvingPlace

Additional LightViper™ Fiber Optic Capability Enhances Irving Performing Arts Center

Annapolis Junction, MD, May, 2008 — FiberPlex, Inc., announced that an additional LightViper™ audio transport system was recently acquired by the Irving, Texas-based, Irving Performing Arts Center. Carpenter Hall, one of two performance halls in the venue, is recognized as one of Texas’ finest performing arts venues. The City of Irving’s large entertainment complex features two state-of-the-art-theaters, four galleries, meeting, reception, classroom and rehearsal facilities and an outdoor sculpture garden on a ten-acre site. More than 300 performances are held annually at the center including a full range of performing arts activities, including symphony concerts, theatrical events, ballet and corporate meetings.

Dallas-based sound design and integration company, Sound Productions, consulted on the advanced fiber optic audio system that was recently added to an existing LightViper system originally installed two years ago in the intimate 253-seat Dupree Theater. A new and larger LightViper system was added to the adjacent and larger, 700-seat Carpenter Hall. The stage-to-FOH signal run is approximately 300’ to a conventional “rear and center” mixing position that now has a new digital console equipped with LightViper MY-32 fiber optic digital interface modules. A standard “plug n’ play” LightViper fiber optic audio “snake” system handles 48 inputs and 16 returns featuring two splits (FOH and Monitor). Several new full-duplex fiber optic cable runs have been added to the venue since the acquisition of the original LightViper 1832 system. All the fiber runs as well as sound equipment installation has been specified and supervised by veteran House Sound Engineer, J.D. Sones, who joined the Arts Center in 1999.

Sones talked enthusiastically about the Center’s investment in fiber routing technology:

“I was impressed with the LightViper’s capabilities from Day One. When we got our budget approved for a much-needed upgrade a couple years ago, one of the first things I did was to head down a ‘pure fiber path’ for all the audio in the facility. I looked at CAT-5 and 6 solutions of course — but frankly, an Ethernet system isn’t that much cheaper than fiber now and it can get damaged too easily for my liking. It’s just not robust enough and still suffers from being an old-school copper wire that is still susceptible to picking-up extraneous junk- be it RF or electro-magnetic. Also, I plan to add DMX lighting control down the new fiber I’ve installed — even down the same fiber as the audio — this would be impossible with CAT-5 or 6 Ethernet copper. I’m looking to accomplish the Center’s future expansion for lighting control with the LightViper DMX fiber multiplexing modules, hopefully by the end of the year.

“The benefits of an all-fiber signal distribution system throughout the Center are simply tremendous. One problem we have here in the middle of Texas is lightning, especially during the Spring and Summer which coincides with the peak of our live music season. With the LightViper systems in both performance halls now, there is absolutely no worry about EMI interference. A big strike might hit somewhere close-by, shake the walls and flicker some lights during a show, but the audio stays as quiet as a mouse!

“Excellent sound quality is what people expect now in today’s modern performance theaters. And, on this score, I just love the way the LightViper sounds. It’s so quiet you hear nothing but the audio, which is the way it should be!”

Editor’s Technical Notes:

Fiberplex manufactures the LightViper fiber optic audio cable transport systems. The LightViper systems offer total signal path isolation between both stage and mixer as well as between the mixer and power amplification; the cable is totally immune to ground loops, RFI, EMI and electromechanical noise, and runs of up to 1 1/4 miles (6,600 feet) can be easily accomplished without signal loss or degradation. FiberPlex includes a limited lifetime warranty with all of its LightViper system components.

Additional story Link: http://www.irvingartscenter.com

NOTE: LightViper™ is a registered trademark of FiberPlex, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

10840-412 Guilford Rd, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701• Phone: 301-604-0100 • Fax: 301-604-0773