Clearwing Systems Integration Installs Multiple Systems at Ark Encounter's Answers Center

Home to the life-size replica of Noah's Ark, the Ark Encounter continues to grow with the construction of the Answers Center. The 2,500-seat multipurpose venue hosts daily lectures, concerts, and video presentations in addition to large conferences and other events. The Ark Encounter once again chose Clearwing Systems Integration (CSI) to design and install complete audio, video, lighting, rigging, and drapery systems.

Inside the huge center, the rider-friendly audio system consists of two hangs of 12 L-Acoustics K2 line arrays with eight KS28 subwoofers stacked under the center of the stage. K2 provides even coverage to the furthest seats, while utilizing the Panflex louvers to keep spill off the side walls. X8 speakers mounted in the front of the stage provide front-fill and an additional package of X12 speakers are used for stage monitoring.

A Yamaha CL5 audio console handles mixing duties at front of house with an additional CL5 onstage as the monitor desk. The distributed Dante network handles inputs from multiple RIO stage boxes and Shure Axient Digital wireless microphones. Redundant QSC Q-Sys Core 510i's route audio throughout the lobbies and other distributed spaces while integrating with the larger park-wide Q-Sys system. R&R Cases provided custom-built desks for the front of house and monitor positions, allowing easy adjustability and maneuverability depending on room configuration.

The stage lighting system consists of ETC Source 4 LED Series 2 ellipsoidals and Selador D60 Vivid fixtures providing a full-stage, camera-friendly wash. A moving light package containing Martin MAC Quantum, Quantum Wash, and Encore Performance fixtures provide versatility for concerts and other events. The fixtures are hung on ETC Prodigy hoists for easy adjustment, serviceability, and adaptability -- catering to any type of event.

Nearly 200 ChromaQ Inspire pendant fixtures were installed in the auditorium and outer lobby to provide full RGBW color in the audience areas. An ETC IONXe console controls the theatrical fixtures while ETC Paradigm controls the architectural lighting for the remainder of the building. ETC Sensor IQ breaker panels and a distributed ETC Net3 network provide flexible lighting control throughout the building.

A prominent part of the 80' wide stage is the Nanolumens Performance P4.7UR LED wall. Measuring a massive 70' wide by 22' tall, the versatile display is used for daily movies, presentations, and iMag while also serving as an upstage backdrop. The screen processing is handled by a Barco E2, controlling content from a Green Hippo Boreal+ media server, ProPresenter, and iMag camera feeds.

As a full-service integrator, Clearwing also provided all rigging, drapery, acoustic panels, Lex company switches, and building-wide AV networking.