Being clear about the environments to be sounded and knowing what system will be implemented to achieve that goal, are aspects that determine the success or not of the installation of a sound system in establishments such as hotels and casinos.
By Víctor Alejandro Galvis González
The importance of having a sound system in places like hotels and casinos is summed up in two words: environment and emergency; however, the system chosen to meet these needs must be designed with intelligibility as a fundamental benefit.
The system must have distribution by zones, which includes the maximum possible automation, from what is reproduced to what is the level at which it must be distributed, explains Leonardo Serani, project engineer of Audiopro Ltda., who assures that "given the number of components that make up the system and its distribution within the enclosure it is very important to contain the costs of assembly, for example, using strategic points for the installation of certain equipment, using transmission and controls by networks and equipment with external power source, such as low-voltage equipment."
Streaming technology, a data transmission protocol using cat5 or cat6 cables, similar to the cable used for the internet or network, "gives us the advantage of being able to omit the long distances that we had to travel with the typical analog cable, which increased the cost of installation," said Nelson Gómez Mera, head of projects and audio installations of the Chilean Yamaimport.
Added the also representative of Yamaha in Chile 30 years ago, that with this system "you only need the same computer network that the hotel or the casino uses, then it is shared between the own computing data and the audio streaming, obviously we will need to divide the bandwidth of the network".
Antonio Monasterio, director of Audiopro, assures that multichannel transmission over networks is the technology at the forefront in this field, "as is the AVB protocol that is probably the one that finally unifies the standards of audio transmission by networks that are currently distributed in different protocols that are not interoperable".
The location of the speakers is crucial for the good distribution of sound throughout the infrastructure, venues such as hotels need sound support and ambient sound at the reception, living rooms, restaurants, swimming pools, gym and event rooms; while in the casinos it is the gaming rooms, VIP areas, restaurants, lounge and entrance hall that require sound.
In both cases a centralized system is used from a room usually located near the reception, from there a brain matrix handles the signals to various areas of the building. The matrix has the property of prioritizing calls, announcing emergencies and selecting the type of music for each zone.
The streaming products installed in each zone do not take up much physical space, in addition, "these equipment have the option of generating power to the speakers or delivering signal to a higher power amplifier to power chains of more speakers. The central that manages the various streaming boxes is just a computer with a dedicated software, which through several IPs control the zones, "explains engineer Nelson Gómez.
On the other hand, the aesthetic aspect is also fundamental for the project, which falls mainly on the selection of speakers, which according to the design of the place can be sky speakers, wall speakers or some speaker that simulates a rock or a plant in outdoor environments." that is to say that it does not look like something very big hanging out there, that is very ugly, "said Nelson Gómez.
Final product
Leonardo Serani, explained some aspects of the installation of the unified audio system of the Enjoy Casino in Antofagasta, in which three cascading audio processors were used with several input and output interfaces connected via ethernet, using the cobranet protocol, so that in the end there will be 120 inputs and 112 analog outputs distributed.
"The casino was left with 46 channels of 70V line amplification, 197 70V speakers, programming of the management software via ethernet for audio processing, 17 digital wall controls serially connected to the processor, which also executes a programming of pre-recorded messages, and automatic level control with 21 noise sensor microphones," explained Leonardo Serani.
Finally, "user adjustments can be made via software wirelessly using several tablet PCs connected by dedicated wi-fi network. The installation included a 16x16 ethernet port video array for the convention center's projector network," the engineer concluded.
Installation challenges
Each sound assembly has its own difficulties and challenges, most of these can be solved through a study prior to installation, which consists of the analysis of plans and meetings with the construction company, in case the building is under construction. However, the variables that occur in construction directly affect the installation of the sound system.
"The greatest difficulty in installations of this type is usually the wiring of the building, making the different specialties compatible, getting the correct work of the electrical with respect to the pipes and passing the cables of the system," said Antonio Monasterio.
In the same way there are the installation times, since usually the signatures that request a sound system demand that it is working quickly. Installers, in many cases, are harmed because they depend on the construction company to comply with the construction of the pipelines to pass the cables or other designs that had been agreed.
In the end, the most important thing is that the enclosure is left with the ability to extend the voice to the previously selected areas with quality audio, both in cases of emergencies, and in ambient music.
"Our work starts from the pre-project making specifications and designs, hand in hand with our suppliers, and extends to the execution itself. One of the advantages of working with the best brands and that we can offer an excellent service", explains Leonardo Serani.
Market expectations
The portion of the market that is willing to make the necessary investment to have a quality sound system is smaller, however, "experience has shown us that the investment is recovered directly by the durability over time of the equipment, as well as tacitly in the quality of the service provided by the hotel or casino. It's a matter of appreciating the casinos and hotels in Las Vegas," say AudioPro experts.
In Latin America the construction of hotels and casinos has increased considerably, hotel groups have seen in the region the possibility of expanding in an economy that projects growth; manufacturers and installers of audio systems are part of this growth to the extent that investors see in audio systems the possibility of strengthening such crucial issues as quality and safety, so important in hotels and casinos.
