Harmony of Technology, History and Art at Pepperdine University Campus in Florence

Customer Profile

Pepperdine University is a private research university located in Malibu, California. They also have a campus in Florence, Italy to provide their students with an extraordinary exchange opportunity. 

The classes are held in a villa that consists of a small classroom with a fixed table, a medium classroom with smaller tables that can be adjusted into several configurations and a large divisible classroom with a mobile wooden wall. Each classroom was equipped with a basic set-up, a projector and a wired microphone.

Challenge

The audio experience in the classrooms needed to be improved with a voice lift solution in order to enhance both the professors' and the participating students’ voices. The system had to be eligible for hybrid learning and compatible with Zoom. Besides the voice lift, the client also requested a lavalier mic solution to ensure speech intelligibility for teachers who speak in a lower voice.

The biggest challenges were the antique furniture, wooden floor and stone walls as they made it very hard to design a technical upgrade. Since these elements couldn’t be altered, the only surface available for a microphone was the ceiling.

Solution

Shure has been suggested by the headquarter in California, which had already been using Shure microphones in their classrooms.

Each class was equipped with Microflex® Advance™ MXA710 Linear Array Microphones. There were 1 in the small classroom, 2 in the medium classroom and 3 in the large divisible classroom. MXA710 enables great voice pick-up in each table configuration and dynamic use of the whole classroom area. They also allow the divisible room to be used in both large and smaller configurations with the same audio system. 

In addition to the 3 MXA710s in the large divisible classroom, SLX-D Digital Wireless System was installed, and a lavalier microphone was provided for the professors. 

Moreover, as all classrooms are on the same network, the teacher can choose a specific preset via the control panel. This combination of elements provides a better volume and mute mode management in each environment. 

Shure ANIUSB-MATRIX USB Audio Network Interface was installed to connect the MXA710s to Zoom via USB. This way, the audio system is automatically activated as the video starts.

Advantages

The implementation of MXA710 Linear Array Microphones and the SLX-D Digital Wireless System provides a clear sound without echo and background noise, both on-site and virtually. 

“Following the first weeks of closing, the headquarters of the university opted for a tech upgrade. I have to say that we are very happy with the technology we’ve chosen for our buildings: students can follow the lectures by relying on the streaming mode, which is of high quality. Moreover, such products are designed elegantly and match the style and architecture of the building.” commented Elizabeth Whatley, Head of the university headquarters in Florence.

"The university requested a microphone system that would enhance both the teacher's voice and the participation of students. Being able to intervene only on the ceiling and requiring a solution compatible with Zoom, the choice of Shure Microflex Ecosystem was immediate.” concluded David Chirici, Informatica e Sistemi.