NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, December 19, 2007 — Underscoring the precision and power of JBL Professional VLA Series loudspeakers, Indianapolis, IN-based IRC Audio recently upgraded the sound reinforcement system at Scheumann Stadium at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. The retrofit is part of a $13 million renovation to Scheumann Stadium, home of the Ball State University Cardinals football team.

The new renovation at the 25,000-seat capacity Scheumann Stadium includes new lighting for night games, a new enclosure of the north end zone with lawn seating, new concession stands, a façade update, a larger press box and private luxury suites. IRC Audio was called upon to provide a new audio system in the north end zone.

“We needed to design a loudspeaker system around the scoreboard at the north end zone, and we considered several different line arrays,” said Michael Petrucci, Senior Designer, IRC Audio. “I saw a whitepaper on the JBL VLA Series, and we decided this was the best option.”

With help from Polar Focus rigging equipment, IRC Audio installed 14 JBL VLA Series line array loudspeakers: two arrays in a left-right configuration comprised of five VLA601 loudspeakers per side, as well as a center array of four VLA601H loudspeakers. The line array system is powered with Crown I-Tech amplifiers. The scoreboard array racks are driven via Cobranet over optical cables with copper backup through BSS Audio Blu 80 controllers. “The rigging was a challenge, and this was ground-up rigging, not hanging,” Petrucci added. “We cut a hole in the roof and built a frame on three points with three clusters on top of them. We got within one degree of where exactly we wanted the loudspeakers to go. The outdoor rig was completely functional within a week of starting the job.”

Additionally, 62 JBL Control 26C in-ceiling loudspeakers are dispersed throughout the new press box, luxury suites, concourse areas and bathrooms. These systems are powered with Crown CTs amplifiers and controlled with BSS Audio Blu controllers. Each of the 30 luxury suites and press boxes can choose from one of five audio sources and control the levels with BSS 9012 controllers.

With 2007 coming to a close, the first season of the new audio system at Scheumann Arena was an overwhelming success. “The VLA Series gave us the performance we needed from a line array, but is designed to be much more conducive to permanent installations,” Petrucci said. “When the referees come out on the field to test their microphones, they duck or jump when the sound hits them. They have never heard themselves that loudly or clearly! The audio quality is really quite spectacular.”

For more information on IRC Audio, please visit www.ircaudio.com or call 317-849-6887.

About JBL Professional:
Headquartered in Northridge, California, JBL Professional is the world‘s leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of professional loudspeakers for recording and broadcast, musician, cinema, touring sound, commercial sound and contracting applications. JBL Professional is the proud recipient of the 2005 Technical GRAMMY® award. JBL Professional is part of the Harman International network of professional and consumer audio companies. For complete product and company information, go to the JBL Professional website at www.jblpro.com.

About the Harman Pro Group:
The Harman Pro Group (www.harmanpro.com) is the world‘s largest provider of professional audio products and system solutions for commercial sound, contracting, tour sound, recording and broadcast, musician, portable PA and cinema applications. The Group is headquartered in Northridge, California and includes industry leaders AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, Crown International, dbx, DigiTech, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer. The Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE: HAR), a leading supplier of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets.

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