The National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) has ensured their students have the latest and best in technology at their disposal following the installation of Shure ULX-D digital wireless systems and Furman power conditioners.

Shure ULX-D digital wireless systems offer uncompromising 24-bit audio clarity and extremely efficient RF performance with single, dual, and quad channel receivers for any size professional sound reinforcement application.

Felix Kulakowski, Audio & Video Supervisor at NIDA explained that they were expanding their acting course to include a larger stream of musical theatre and needed some wireless headsets. Jands allowed NIDA to trial a unit of Shure ULX-D and the specs and cost, particularly for 24 channels were great.

According to Felix, being digital the wireless distribution is so much easier than analogue; with wireless distribution, one could theoretically have sixteen channels on one Shure wireless distribution system against the four available earlier.

Felix also finds the Shure ULX-D system to be rugged, idiot-proof and reliable. Previously the amount of batteries that NIDA went through was quite phenomenal and rechargeable batteries just didn’t work out as they’d get lost or not charge correctly. The Shure ULX-D system with its battery and recharge station not only saves money but helps the environment.

Felix adds that the product runs Dante, which means they can run Dante to the front of house console and use the XLR outputs as monitor. He has not yet heard anything negative from the students about the Shure ULX-D. Compared to their original ULX systems, Felix rates the Shure system a few notches higher in features as well as performance.

Featuring surge protection, linear filtering technology, and extreme voltage shutdown, Furman power conditioners are one of the most advanced and comprehensive transient voltage surge suppressors in the world.

While the power at NIDA is generally good, the biggest issue Felix would get with every production was a constant unwelcome noise, resulting in complaints from the director and students especially if it involved a quiet theatre production. Once Furman power conditioners were added to the racks, the audio interference has minimised dramatically.

Jands is a leading Australian distributor of professional audio systems as well as lighting and staging equipment.