Digital Audio for Western Cape Centre.
Somerset Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in the Western Cape now boasts 204 outlets in over 70 000 sq metres of retail space. Phase 3, the latest extension, added a huge family entertainment centre complete with two huge rock climbing walls and an awesome view of the Helderberg mountains.
Avitech Systems, along with Cape Town partner Audiotech Cape, has been busy installing new sound equipment in Phase 3 and upgrading the existing system in tho old sections. The PA and music system plays an important part in the success of the centre. Apart from the vital function of emergency announcements, Somerset Mall Radio (SMR) broadcasts live over the system during peak hours, bringing shoppers the latest events and specials from across the centre.
Because of the sheer size of the centre (the mall length is probably more than one kilometre), it was decided to split the sound system into two and link the components with fibre optic cable, and send the required audio signals digitally between each other. The Soundweb DSP's also control speaker equalization, source switching and zone volume controls, all of which are available at the click of a mouse on the radio station's PC screen.
Other features include a BOSCH digital message store, which plays pre-recorded emergency announcements, and BOSE loudspeakers in the food and entertainment courts where higher sound levels are required for promotional events.
