Singapore ice rink install calls for a Community approach

Electronics & Engineering (E&E) has completed the installation of a Community sound system at Singapore’s first Olympic-size ice rink at JCube. The 60 x 30 metre rink has a 460-seat gallery and can be used for community skating or more competitive sporting events, including speed or figure skating and ice hockey. It can also host live streaming events and concerts in the space.

To meet these diverse requirements, E&E worked closely with Community’s Singapore-based director of business development, Thomas Mittelmann, who liaised with the technical team at Community’s HQ in the US.

Seventeen Community WET W2-2W8 loudspeakers are mounted around the rink edge. The W2-2W8’s dual 8-inch horizontal drivers with centrally located 1-inch horn provide the optimum 120-degree wide horizontal dispersion required for the venue. Additionally, the W2-2W8’s extreme all-weather capabilities are designed to handle the environmental conditions of the rink, while its provision in white ensures the loudspeakers blend with the venue’s aesthetics.

In addition to the distributed W2-2W8 system, the audio design includes a ceiling loudspeaker system for the audience areas. The upper spectator stand comprises 13 Community D8 8-inch coaxial ceiling loudspeakers. In the lower stand there are 13 Community D6 ceiling loudspeakers, equipped with 6.5-inch low frequency drivers. A further ten Community D4 ceiling loudspeakers and four Community DS8 surface mount loudspeakers are installed at back of house.

Five Ashly Audio NE2400 2-channel amplifiers power the Community loudspeakers. The network-enabled amplifiers feature full control and monitoring capabilities via standard 10/100 Ethernet protocol and Protea software. An Ashly Audio NE4250 amplifier powers the back of house system.

Processing is provided by a Symetrix Symnet 8×8 digital signal processor, supplied with SymNet Designer software which equips the rink with more than 300 DSP modules. Completing the audio system are a Mackie 1642-VLZ3 I6-channel compact recording mixer and Shure SLX24/SM58 handheld wireless microphones for concert-type events.