Project Overview
Industry: Education
Location: Missouri
Client: Hazelwood School District
Project:
Simplifying and improving the performance of the microphone system used for large-scale administrative meetings.
Project Stakeholders:
Audio-Technica, Schillers Audio Visual, Hazelwood School District
Solution:
Audio-Technica Engineered Sound® (ES) Wireless
Client
A Large-Scale Suburban School District
Located in the St. Louis suburbs of Missouri, Hazelwood School District is the second-largest school district in St. Louis County, serving approximately 20,000 students across 19 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 3 high schools. The district is regularly recognized at both state and national levels for its academic and professional achievements, including early childhood education, gifted student programs, and alternative learning initiatives.
Meetings attended by more than 70 administrators are held at the East Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center, a facility that was previously used as a church. In late 2020, as the cost of renting microphone systems for large meetings became unsustainable, district leadership requested the development of a permanent microphone solution for the space.
The solution implemented at the time involved placing four wired dynamic microphones on small stands at each of the 18 tables in the hall. These microphones were connected to two 32-channel digital mixers via two large bundles of analog cabling.
Over time, the setup and operation of this wired system became increasingly cumbersome. The district’s Video Communications Specialist, Alex Peterson, began working with Schillers Audio Visual to develop a more efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution.
Challenge
An Effective Microphone Infrastructure for More Than 70 Participants
The new system needed to allow more than 70 people to actively participate in group discussions. Key requirements included:
High audio quality
Easy setup and operation
Use with no learning curve for participants
Peterson describes the previous system as follows:
“When it was set up, it looked like a giant spider web. Imagine 30-meter cables taped across the floor throughout the room. It worked, but it came with a lot of problems.”
Participants had to turn off their microphones when not speaking to avoid noise and feedback. Microphones were paired, allowing only one to be active at a time. When microphones were returned to their stands, switches were often accidentally turned back on. In addition, the cables taped to the floor left residue in the carpet, creating additional cleaning requirements.
Solution
Audio-Technica Engineered Sound® (ES) Wireless
In 2023, Peterson began evaluating new approaches with Schillers AV Sales Manager David Wyne. During these discussions, Dante audio networking emerged as a key consideration. A demonstration at NAB Show 2023 convinced Peterson that a digital audio networking approach was the right path for the project.
At the same time, Wyne introduced the Audio-Technica Engineered Sound Wireless (ES Wireless) system, which combined wireless microphone flexibility, Dante infrastructure, and high channel count in a single solution.
Today, the Hazelwood School District ECE Center uses the following for large meetings:
30 ESW-T4107 wireless, rechargeable tabletop transmitters
Each fitted with an ES925 30 cm gooseneck cardioid microphone capsule
4 ESW-R4180DAN receivers mounted at wall and sloped ceiling junctions
Each receiver mixes 8 active microphone channels into a single Dante audio channel and sends it over Cat5e cabling to the LAN switch. These four submixes are routed to the facility’s existing digital mixer, with each assigned to its own fader.
“I’m not even using half the inputs on a single mixer anymore,” Peterson says.
“People enjoy using the microphones. They’re very easy to use and sound great.”
Peterson was so satisfied with the system that a problematic, mixed-brand wireless microphone setup used in the central office meeting room was also replaced with an additional 14-channel ES Wireless system.
Technologies
DECT-Based Wireless System
Audio-Technica Engineered Sound Wireless is a simple, intelligent, and scalable DECT wireless system supporting up to 96 channels. This solution eliminated many of the issues Hazelwood School District experienced in its large meeting space:
Cable clutter and tripping hazards were completely eliminated
Setup is now limited to removing microphones from the charging station and placing them on tables
Microphones can be easily shared among participants seated next to each other
Where two 32-channel mixers were previously required, the built-in mixing capabilities of the ES Wireless receivers reduced the total number of faders to 13, significantly simplifying the mixing process.
“It’s so simple that I can explain over the phone how to turn the system on and use the microphones,” says Peterson.
Color coding provides visual guidance across both microphones and mixer faders. Issues common to traditional wireless systems—such as frequency coordination and limited microphone counts—are completely eliminated with ES Wireless.
Powered via PoE from a network switch and carrying Dante signals over a single Cat5e cable, the system is also extremely easy to install. Channel naming and mix settings are centrally managed using Audio-Technica Wireless Manager software. AES256 encryption ensures high security and stable operation.
Result
Peterson summarizes the system:
“Everything about this system is balanced. Battery life is more than sufficient for meetings, it’s incredibly easy to use, and the audio quality is excellent. I really love these microphones.”
The new solution at Hazelwood School District:
Eliminated issues caused by complex and problematic wired systems
Is easy and enjoyable for participants to use
Offers high channel capacity while reducing mix complexity
Shortens setup time and provides a clean, safe meeting environment
Delivers superior audio quality