by KMB Communications | May 11, 2021 | AtlasIED
Updated Atmosphere™ software offers enhanced customization of music delivery, support of bell scheduling, and streamlined post-installation service.
PHOENIX, AZ – (May 11, 2021) – AtlasIED—a global manufacturer of comprehensive audio solutions for commercial environments, builds off the successful launch of its Atmosphere™ digital audio system with a new 2.0 firmware update, available for free here, The updated version enables
several performance and installation enhancements, including stereo and subwoofer support, self-healing accessories, room combine, and bell scheduling. These and other updates offer integrators even greater opportunities to customize the delivery and control of audio to satisfy the unique requirements of restaurants, bars, hotels, school campuses, houses of worship, retail establishments, and other commercial environments. The new Atmosphere™ software supports the system’s original core technologies, such as touchless control and artificial intelligence, and utilizes the same product suite or digital audio processors, amplifiers, and graphical user interfaces.
Bell Scheduler
A top request of AtlasIED dealers, the integration of a bell scheduler evolves Atmosphere™ 2.0 into a turnkey digital audio system for school campuses, industrial environments, and other facilities. Building off the integrated message player of the original Atmosphere™ release, the new bell scheduler enables setup and delivery of multiple bells and ring lists to signify class dismissals, lunch breaks, and other routines. Schedules can be easily modified and bells added and deleted by end-users via the Atmosphere 2.0 software’s new Planner configuration tool.
Room Combine
In large spaces like hotel conference rooms, auditoriums, and banquet halls, it’s common to partition the area into several smaller zones for flexibility of use. Atmosphere™ 2.0 can deliver different audio to each individual zone or the same audio to two or more combined zones, as chosen by the end-user, with one primary controller per combined zones. Integrators can configure the zones within the Atmosphere™ software and provide end-users with a customized mobile app and wall-plates for simple, intuitive selection and control of the audio.
Stereo and Subwoofer Support
To provide a dynamic, multi-dimensional listening experience, Atmosphere™ 2.0 does the job through its newly added stereo and subwoofer processing and playback capability. With the new version, the Atmosphere digital audio processors seamlessly support stereo sources, stereo zones, and zones with subwoofers. Once the stereo and/or subwoofer zones are set up, proper controls are automatically linked and DSP objects are created, giving integrators the flexibility within the Atmosphere™ platform to easily and affordably expand from a mono audio solution to a more
engaging stereo speaker-subwoofer setup. Ideally suited for performance venues, from the smallest cocktail lounge to the largest auditorium, stereo and subwoofer support through Atmosphere™ 2.0 provides an immersive audio experience.
Self-Healing Accessories
Providing integrators and their customers peace of mind and long-term satisfaction, should any wall-plate accessory of an Atmosphere™ 2.0 accidentally break, there’s no need to spend time in the field to reprogram the replacement product. Instead, the system “self-heals,” instantly recognizing the newly installed wall-plate and loading into it all of the original customized settings automatically. Integrators can have the system back up and running in seconds, dramatically reducing time and resources typically required to service a digital audio system. The benefits to customers are realized through lower maintenance costs.
Continual Evolution of the Atmosphere™ Platform
“By advancing Atmosphere™ forward with the launch of our new 2.0 version, integrators are afforded even greater flexibility in the design of digital audio systems through the implementation of any or all of the system’s new suite of features,” says John Ivey, president at AtlasIED. “Since the initial launch of Atmosphere™ in September 2020, we have listened to our dealers, integrating many of their requests into the 2.0 platform. Through our commitment to the continual evolution of the Atmosphere™ ecosystem, the technology avoids obsolescence, providing customers with the most advanced solution for audio processing, control, and delivery, and creating new business opportunities for technology integrators.”
AtlasIED Hosts Virtual Q&A for Dealers on May 20
With so many features bundled into Atmosphere™ 2.0, it’s natural for integrators and end users to have questions. To provide a solid understanding of the updated system and its unique benefits, AtlasIED will host an interactive Q&A session on May 20 at 2 p.m. ET. Anyone can register for the event at https://bit.ly/3ezMqRk.
Enhancements Combine with Original Features
While Atmosphere™ 2.0 represents an exciting progression of AtlasIED’s digital audio platform, all of the innovative features of the original system remain intact. Atmosphere™ 2.0 enables each authorized user to manage the system from his or her own mobile device, lending a cleaner, more hygienic approach to control no matter which operating system is being utilized. Setup is simple: The controls of the Atmosphere™ 2.0 digital audio processor populate automatically when a user’s mobile device scans the DSP’s QR code. Per parameters programmed initially into the system by
the AV integrator, this QR code grants access to certain features; for example, allowing a manager to modify the schedule of outgoing messages, while staff is permitted to only adjust the volume level.
Leveraging this hands-off approach to control is a revolutionary ambient noise compensation technology. Built into each Atmosphere™ 2.0 DSP (two models are available) are multi-patented algorithms, which enable it to continually learn and adapt to changes in the environment. Through data collected and transmitted by an Atmosphere™ 2.0 ambient noise sensor, the DSP comes to recognize patterns like the need to raise the volume at a bar during happy hour to compensate for high levels of ambient noise. Unlike systems that rely on external microphones to monitor the environment, Atmosphere™ 2.0 uses artificial intelligence to analyze and respond to the predictable behaviors of its users, such as consistent commands issued from an Atmosphere™ 2.0 volume controller, as well as data sent from an Atmosphere™ 2.0 ambient noise sensor to the DSP.
The audio level isn’t the only setting that Atmosphere™ 2.0 adjusts automatically. Messages uploaded to the DSP as WAV files can be dispatched according to a pre-programmed schedule based on priority or when triggered by an Atmosphere™ 2.0 input device, such as a volume/source/zone selector. This level of automation affords AV integrators a digital audio solution that can be customized for exceptional operational convenience, efficiency, and performance. Adding another layer of customization is a built-in Tilter Filter™, which drastically simplifies tuning the audio for the specific room or zone with an easy-to-use feature that helps balance lows and highs.
Interoperable Components Boast Attractive Industrial Design
Products currently comprising the Atmosphere™ 2.0 digital audio platform include two varieties of digital signal processors (6-input/4-output AZM4 and 10-input/8-output AZM8; two amplifiers (400-watt AZA404 and 800-watt AZA804); six different plug-and-play accessories, including wall-mounted audio controllers (single- and multi-zone options); and remote audio inputs (RCA, Bluetooth, and XLR sources); and an ambient noise sensor. As many as 16 accessories can be daisy-chained to the AZM4 and AZM8 DSP. Plus, the entire Atmosphere™ 2.0 lineup has been engineered to integrate with AtlasIED loudspeakers; integrators can use the preloaded EQ files in an Atmosphere™ DSP to easily tune the speakers for the specific application and environment. Boasting a clean, modern, industrial design, Atmosphere™ 2.0 complements the aesthetic of most commercial environments.
About AtlasIED
AtlasIED has been a recognized leader in the pro-audio industry for over 85 years, developing innovative audio solutions for a wide variety of commercial environments. The company’s diverse, comprehensive, and ever-evolving solutions cater to the high-quality audio and communication
technology needs of markets globally, including transportation, healthcare, corporate, industrial, government, hospitality, education, and house of worship. Technologically advanced, expertly engineered, and highly marketable, AtlasIED’s products and systems deliver mass communication, high intelligibility announcements, IP-based visual and audio communications, distributed audio, background music, paging, and sound masking solutions to commercial projects of every size and scope, including those which are mission-critical. Family-owned, the company’s nine locations and a well-established network of experienced manufacturer representatives and distributors throughout the world ensure exceptional customer support and service to drive continued growth and advancement of the commercial audio industry.
For more information please visit www.atlasied.com, and follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
by KMB Communications | Mar 8, 2021 | AtlasIED
AtlasIED DSP amp and 21 speakers deliver sermons and song throughout the new 14,000 square-foot sanctuary.
Houses of worship are no different from showrooms in terms of their AV production needs, according to Michael Brown-Cestero, president of Embassy Holdings, a design firm specializing in advanced live and virtual communications systems. “Systems for each of these seemingly different venues adhere to the same set of safety standards, electrical codes, and construction protocols, and the AV systems employ the same technologies and equipment to process and distribute digital signals,” Brown-Cestero explains. “The only difference between the two is the type of content that’s shared and when service calls typically occur—during the day for churches and at night for showrooms.”
With this philosophy in mind, Brown-Cestero tackled an extensive AV project for a newly built 14,000-square-foot church in Las Vegas as he would for any entertainment venue on the strip—with a focus on performance and futureproofing.
Ditching DIY for Dante®
What he discovered right off the bat was an incredibly tech-savvy church production crew. “Over the years, the tech team at Life Baptist Church had put together a decent audio system in its original 200-seat facility, containing mainly DIY gear.” When Brown-Cestero met with them to discuss objectives for the larger 672-person sanctuary, they all expressed the same request: a major update comprising completely new, state-of-the-art, professional-grade equipment that was flexible, versatile, and scalable.
“This was all the inspiration we needed to specify a Dante®-based digital audio network,” Brown-Cestero says. “The technology is robust, reliable, and easy to implement. Plus, because it has become the de facto standard of most manufacturers, it would allow us to specify gear from different manufacturers—like a 70V digital audio system from AtlasIED, audio console from Yamaha, and in-ear monitors from Shure—and know that they would be able to communicate without the extra time, expense, and complication of converters and adapters.”
Convergence of Old and New Networks
Another big selling point: The new Ethernet-based Dante® network would allow seamless transmission of the services in the new building to the existing worship space, which would transition into a community center and overflow space once the new sanctuary was complete. “This connectivity saved us from having to install hundreds of analog lines to enable audio and video signals to travel freely between the two facilities,” Brown-Cestero explains. “In less than five minutes after being plugged in and its DSP levels set, the AtlasIED DPA-804 amplifier was on the network and ready to distribute clear, crisp, intelligible audio throughout the entire campus.”
Audio captured by handheld and lapel microphones in the new church is processed, amplified, and set at the ideal volume level by the DPA-804. From there, in a dedicated control closet with lighting and video equipment, it sends audio to 17 AtlasIED FAP-43T ceiling speakers placed strategically in classrooms, offices, coffee shop, and foyer of the new facility, as well as to four RockFA-62 outdoor landscape speakers, and IT headend and existing speakers at the old venue across the parking lot.
Minimizing the Digital Footprint
A church is the last place that should look like a technological playground. Mounted flush with the ceiling surface and resembling recessed light fixtures, the FAP-43T speakers blend right in, as do the four RockFA-62 with the outdoor hardscaping. Despite their low-profile, they spread audio far and wide, ensuring that no one misses a second of the sermon, choral production, and other events should they visit the restroom, grab a cup of coffee, or take a crying child outside for a breather.
Positioned in the courtyard between the old and new worship spaces, the RockFA-62 speakers welcome and bid adieu to the congregation as they enter and leave the sanctuary before and after services. It evokes an energetic and engaging atmosphere, important for attracting new members to the congregation.
Supporting the Evolution of AV
While simple in functionality, the Dante® AV network employed by the AtlasIED DPA-804 amplifier is sophisticated and advanced enough to deliver exceptional clarity, intelligibility, and coverage of audio well into the future. “That’s what we love about AtlasIED products, particularly those that support Dante®. They just work, no matter what you throw at them or how AV technology evolves,” Brown-Cestero says.
AtlasIED Equipment Used in this Project:
DPA-804 amplifier
(17) FAP-43T ceiling speakers;
(4) RockFA-62T landscape speakers
by KMB Communications | Feb 26, 2021 | AtlasIED
Corroded, weather-stripped, underperforming speakers swapped for a new suite of full-range AtlasIED stadium speakers.
When Jonathan Peyton graduated in 1992 from Alexandria Senior High School, Alexandria, Louisiana, the quality of audio in the school’s football stadium was the furthest thing from his mind. But over the years, as he continued to attend games, he couldn’t help but notice the many “dead” zones within the 3,000-seat venue. As an audiophile, local businessman, and long-time supporter of the Alexandria Trojans athletic program, he vowed to “fix the problem.”
A Complete Audio Overhaul
On further inspection of the press box audio system, he discovered poorly connected equipment, faulty wiring, and damaged rooftop speakers that even in their heyday wouldn’t have had the horsepower nor the appropriate range to cover every seat. “The old speakers had literally disintegrated from years of wear and tear,” Peyton says. “Plus, they didn’t have the crossovers to deliver the full frequency sound that was sorely needed in this stadium.”
After getting the go-ahead from the school administration, he contacted pro AV manufacturer’s rep firm Mizzen Marketing, Mansfield, Texas, for suggestions. Top on the list was swapping the old, corroded horn speakers for new wide-dispersion models from AtlasIED.
Based on measurements, budget, requests of the school administration, and other information gathered by Peyton, Mizzen Marketing drafted a detailed blueprint, specifying equipment, speaker locations, DSP settings—everything Peyton needed to execute the plan. Funded largely by the school’s alumni association, the new audio system features a suite of AtlasIED outdoor stadium horn speakers, amplifiers, power sequencer, and fan module.
Full Audio Coverage from the Press Box Roof
Large areas like sports stadiums require several strategically mounted speakers to deliver intelligible broadcasts and impactful music to every seat, Peyton explains, so he removed the three large, heavy, ill-performing speakers from the roof of the press box, replacing them with seven smaller yet more powerful AtlasIED speakers. Peyton utilized six speakers from AtlasIED’s FS line to flank the company’s AH54-15-BSG long-throw speaker, which was chosen for its ability to toss audio all the way across the field and into the visitors’ section. Situated at each end of the press box, the two nearfield, wide-dispersion FS12T-BT60 and two FS12T-99 speakers would spread audio across the entire home section. For an extra boost of low-end bass, Peyton added two FST-12 SUB speakers. “This combination of speakers ensures that nobody would ever again strain to hear music, public address notices, and game-day commentary and that the volume level would be consistent throughout, solving the popular complaint of audio being too loud in some areas and barely audible in others.”
Wide audio dispersion was a key factor in choosing the AtlasIED horns, Peyton notes, but the lightweight nature was certainly another selling point. “It definitely made hoisting them onto the press box roof a lot easier than it could have been.”
Amps Minimize Human Error
To drive and protect the speaker array, Peyton installed two AtlasIED multi-channel power amplifiers and a power sequencer into an existing equipment rack in the press box. “Because the audio will be managed by many different people, our goal was to keep the system as simple and straightforward as possible to use,” Peyton says. “The AtlasIED DPA2402 and DPA602 amps helped us accomplish this.” Using the amps’ graphical user interface, Peyton pre-set the audio processing and volume levels and disabled the manual controls so users can only turn the system on or off, nothing else. “Once the system is powered, you just plug in a microphone and it’s good to go, virtually foolproof. Plus, these amps are so small, run cool, and have plenty of power to drive the entire speaker array.”
The Crowning Jewel
With that—and the installation of new wiring, a wireless microphone, and mixer—the audio update was complete. Peyton has put the system through its paces and reports positive reactions from stadium attendees, coaching staff, and players. “From all areas of the stadium, music and announcements are clear, intelligible, and at the perfect volume level,” he says. “And the school’s choir has never sounded better singing the national anthem.” There’s just one more task to tackle: the design and application of an Alexandria Trojan logo on the face of an existing AtlasIED equipment rack, which has admirably stood the test of time. “It’s just as durable and sturdy as it was when installed 20-some years ago. It just needed a little sprucing up.”
AtlasIED Products Used in This Project:
DPA2402 2400-watt networkable multi-channel power amplifier
(2) FS12T-BT60 12” 2-way multipurpose nearfield horn speakers
AH54-15-BSG 15” 2-way stadium horn speaker
(2) FS12T-99 12” 2-way multipurpose horn speakers
DPA602 600-watt networkable multi-channel power amplifier
(2) FS12T-SUB 12” multipurpose low-frequency horn speakers
ECS-204 20A power conditioner and sequencer
EFP3-2 RU WMA series half rack
See how the AtlasIED’s amplifiers and speakers have enhanced the audio quality for football fans in the Alexandria High School stadium here.
Download Images Here
About AtlasIED
A global electronics manufacturer providing comprehensive audio and security solutions for commercial, corporate, educational, healthcare, retail, transportation, and government environments, AtlasIED brings together the legacy, engineering skills, and legendary service of Atlas Sound and Innovative Electronics Design. Offering industry-leading mass notification, life safety, VoIP, background music, paging, and sound-masking systems, AtlasIED delivers product lines that span wide and deep, with more than 2,000 innovative audio solutions for businesses of every size. Combined, Atlas Sound and IED products have been installed in more than one million businesses over the past 80+ years.
With nine locations and a network of manufacturer representatives and distributors around the world to provide superior support to dealers and customers, AtlasIED’s customer service is an industry benchmark that competitors strive to match. AtlasIED is family-owned, with manufacturing operations in the United States that hold an ISO9001:2008 Quality Standards Certification to ensure consistently high-quality products, service, and support.
For more information, please visit www.atlasied.com or contact us at support@atlasied.com.
by KMB Communications | Feb 18, 2021 | AtlasIED
New AtlasIED microsite provides a wealth of information to help technology decision-makers understand and implement improved audio and communications solutions in K-12 educational settings.
PHOENIX, AZ – (February 18, 2021) – AtlasIED—a global manufacturer of comprehensive audio and communications solutions for commercial environments, has launched a new microsite designed as a resource for school administrators, safety directors, and technology stakeholders who want to learn about solutions designed to assist in executing emergency preparedness plans, enhance the delivery of routine information, support successful student outcomes, and reduce teacher fatigue.
AtlasIED’s new Tech for Safer Schools microsite is a helpful tool for technology decision-makers, offering solutions to real-world challenges facing K-12 schools. The site identifies specific hardware, software, and complete, scalable communications platforms for classrooms, buildings, campuses, and entire districts, that seamlessly integrate with existing building systems such as security, access control, and fire alarms. Additionally, the FAQ & Resources section offers informative blogs, case studies, and a collection of answers to questions commonly asked by K-12 administrators about technologies to support building-wide safety plans, common school-day processes, and classroom instruction.
Often those who are tasked with finding the technology to upgrade legacy systems such as intercom, PA, and classroom audio amplification aren’t aware that these systems can marry in a more unified and future-resistant network-based system. This microsite aims to educate those in the difficult position of outlining modernization efforts so they can understand and ask about the technologies that may work best for their districts. It also walks them through the process of potentially identifying gaps in existing processes to strengthen the systems that support them.
Visitors of the site are invited to input information about their current communications needs, from which AtlasIED can recommend specific solutions, suggest a proper system design, and connect them with the appropriate experts for additional assistance.
“Having a unified, intuitive, and effective communications system is vitally important to educational facilities to ensure the safety of students and staff and create a comfortable learning environment. As a provider of a broad range of audio and communications solutions, AtlasIED is committed to helping school administrators develop and implement successful communication technologies and systems to align with their existing processes and strategies,” says Michael Peveler, VP of Sales at AtlasIED. “AtlasIED has offered a variety of proven audio and communications systems for many years, but until now, there hasn’t been a dedicated site that explores the topic and introduces school administrators to options and applications dedicated to their needs.”
Visit www.techforsaferschools.com to learn more about school communications technologies and connect with an AtlasIED expert who can assist with identifying the best solution for your specific needs.
About AtlasIED
AtlasIED has been a recognized leader in the pro-audio industry for over 85 years, developing innovative audio solutions for a wide variety of commercial environments. The company’s diverse, comprehensive, and ever evolving solutions cater to the high-quality audio and communication technology needs of markets globally, including transportation, healthcare, corporate, industrial, government, hospitality, education, and house of worship. Technologically advanced, expertly engineered, and highly marketable, AtlasIED’s products and systems deliver mass communication, high intelligibility announcements, IP-based visual and audio communications, distributed audio, background music, paging, and sound masking solutions to commercial projects of every size and scope, including those which are mission critical. Family-owned, the company’s nine locations and a well-established network of experienced manufacturer representatives and distributors throughout the world ensure exceptional customer support and service to drive continued growth and advancement of the commercial audio industry.
For more information please visit www.atlasied.com, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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