The WSDG proposal addressed a number of significant sound distortion problems, including poor intelligibility and a lack of acoustic accuracy. “The Westchester County Center had some acoustic work done in 1988, but the critical listening issues weren’t adequately addressed,” Joshua Morris reports. “Our modeling and measurement tests determined the problems could be ameliorated through a combination of electro-acoustic solutions. 
The 57’ high curved ceiling and the truss cavity beneath needed to be treated with a total of 1,120 2’x4’ 4” thick perforated PVC lapendary panels, providing almost 9,000 sq. ft. of broadband absorption. QuietStar Industries suspended these units from the ceiling with cables, which have greatly improved upon the existing ceiling reflector treatments that remained from the 1988 acoustic effort, reducing our reverberation time, especially in the lower frequencies, to manageable levels.
WSDG also recommended that 270 sq. ft. of Rosebrand Charisma velour curtains be hung on strategic sections of the balcony edge. Additionally, WSDG worked with pro audio expert Chuck Ballantine of Pleasant Valley-based, Ballantine Communications & Staging to select an package of 11 ElectroVoice subwoofer rows, two vertical stacks of four subwoofers each, and stereo line arrays to assure the best conceivable audio system for the WCC. “We’ve worked with WSDG on other projects, and I’ve worked shows in the WCC for years, so we were very familiar with the venue,” Ballantine says. “ElectroVoice has a solid, product line and an excellent support team. This new sound system, coupled with WSDG’s acoustic treatments makes the WCC a extremely viable performance option.”
