winter under a very tight timeframe.

Designed by WJHW in Dallas, the new sound system replaces an approach largely based upon a center field loudspeaker cluster. It now utilizes more than 200 zones of EAW loudspeakers, providing highly intelligible full-range coverage to defined seating sections. The main grandstand’s upper and lower decks are served by groupings of loudspeakers, while the huge center- and right-field bleachers, along with specialty areas such as outdoor plazas and the seats atop the Green Monster, receive reinforcement via carefully selected and placed individual loudspeakers. The BL&S team also added sound reinforcement to the stadium’s new upper level club seats, as well as to concourses and walkways.

QSC Audio QSControl.net is the crucial backbone tying the entire system together, integrating amplifier and loudspeaker management with configurable digital signal processing and digital audio transport. BL&S took the lead position with this key facet of the project, assembling and interconnecting the amplifier/processor racks at their shop prior to installation for troubleshooting and optimization.

Fenway Park’s many structural anomalies presented a distinct installation challenge. No two sections are alike. To accommodate these differences, BL&S designed and erected numerous loudspeaker mounting brackets, and in some cases built entire steel structures for suitable mounting.

“Boston Light & Sound did this setup work as well as it could possibly be done,” notes WJHW’s Mark Graham. “With other DSP systems, there’s a crash or two as well as complaints about glitches, but not once have there been any network problems, lock-ups, or anything of that nature.”

By Opening Day of the 2006 season, the entire ballpark-wide system was ready to go—tested and optimized to supply dramatically upgraded performance for a sold-out crowd of Red Sox faithful.

coordinated wireless microphones and in-ear frequencies with the local and national television networks.

BL&S’s recent major renovations in 2006 to the park’s sound system positively aided in the end result: Fenway Park became a world class symphony hall of its own.

During the previous 2004 World Series and ALCS, many performers, including Boston’s own Steven Tyler and James Taylor, treated 34,000 Red Sox fans to their renditions of the National Anthem. BL&S provided audio support for this pre-game entertainment.

In addition to installing and monitoring the audio equipment, BL&S overcame numerous technical challenges associated with live broadcast and performance. For instance, the lengthy time delay from the main loudspeaker cluster to the performer at home plate necessitated the use of in-ear monitors to assist the performer’s concentration so they would not become distracted by the echo effect.

This freed the performers to focus on entertaining fans during what was to be one of the most memorable championship series at Fenway.

of 25 full-range EAW loudspeakers distributed throughout the arena. BL&S added a Crown USM810 digital processor and router, giving the forum’s sound operator the flexibility to play CDs for public skating, select from multiple speaker zone settings for sporting events, and reconfigure speaker presets for commencement addresses and outside performances. He can easily control preset delays and muting for all the speakers with a laptop computer.

With the new stadium sound system, the forum can reproduce clear, dynamic audio customized for various activities.