Skip Section Navigation

A configurable theater optimized for experimental music, intermedia, and performance art

The Merrill Ellis Intermedia Theater (MEIT) is the Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia (CEMI) performance venue. This black-box theater features a custom live mixing system for its 37.2 ambisonic dome audio environment over a DANTE audio network; 5 height-adjustable 16' x 9' screens for HD surround video projection over HDBT network; 60 ArtNet-controlled theatrical lighting including moving head and laser units; bespoke hardware/software systems for audio diffusion and control; and dedicated computer systems for video, audio, performance, recording, streaming and system control. MEIT has 100 seating capacity with flexibility for alternative arrangements.

Specifications

Audio System

This list is currently incomplete, but reflects earlier configurations of the MEIT
37.2 Ambisonic dome with a custom diffusion system
  • (8) Genelec 1037B (lower ring)
  • (8) Adam S4A (lower ring)
  • (16) Meyer UPJ-1P (upper rings)
  • (1) Meyer 500-HP sub
  • (1) Tannoy PS350B sub
  • (1) Yamaha M7CL Mixer
  • (1) Focusrite RedNet MP8R 8-channel MicPre and A/D‎
  • (1) Focusrite RedNet 1: 8-channel A-D/D-A
  • (1) Focusrite RedNet 2: 16-channel A-D/D-A
  • (1) Focusrite RedNet 3: 32-channel Digital I/O
  • (1) Apple Mac Pro 3.0 GHz Eight-Core Intel Xeon E5 to Performance
  • (1) Apple Mac Pro 3.5 GHz Six-Core Intel Xeon E5 to Diffusion
  • (1) Custom Audio Diffusion Software via Max MSP
  • (4) Mackie Control Universal with Extension
  • (1) Mackie Ultra Pilot for remote diffusion
  • (1) Lexicon MX400 4-in/4-out Reverb/Effects Processor
  • Playback software
    • Reaper 6
    • Logic X
    • Max/MSP/Jitter (versions 6 & 7 & 8)
    • Pure Data (PD)
    • QLab Pro Video+Audio+Lighting

Video System

This list is currently incomplete, but reflects earlier configurations of the MEIT
180-degree projection with custom video routing
  • (1) Apple Mac Pro 3.5GHz 8-core Intel Xenon / 32 GB 2666Mhz DDR4 /AMD Radeon Pro w5700x 16GB
  • (5) Epson H9441A LCD Projector
  • (3) 18'x24' Da-Lite Motorized Scenic Scroller projector screens
  • (2) Panasonic P2HD AG-HPX170P video cameras
  • JTECH 8x8 HDMI 4K@60Hz 4:4:4: HDR HDBaseT Matrix Extender

Lighting

This list is currently incomplete, but reflects earlier configurations of the MEIT
Flexible theater lighting with custom lighting control
  • ETC Expression 3 lighting console
  • ETC Source Four 26 Ellipsoidal
  • ETC Source Four PAR EA
  • (2) Martin smartMAC moving lights
  • (6) Chauvet moving lights
  • Chauvet Haze Machine 
  • LED COLORado 1-Tri Tour (RGB)
  • Lighting Control via QLab
  • Chauvet Pro Net-X II

Other Equipment

Miscellaneous
  • (1) Bösendorfer 225 SemiConcert Grand - 92 keys, 7'4", with CEUS (MIDI controllable piano)
  • (5) 5x~40 foot rolls of dance marley
Available Supplementary Equipment
  • (10)Tannoy 800A
  • (2) Hemisphere speakers (available, single channel)
  • (2) Fender CyberTwinSE Guitar Amps with DSP
  • (2) NI Komplete Audio 6-channel USB Audio/MIDI Interface
  • (2) MOTU 828 MKII 8-channel Audio Interface
  • (2) RME A/D - D/A Interface ADI-8 DS
  • (4) MOTU 2408 A/D - D/A converters
  • (2) MacBook Pro 
  • (1) Allen&Heath GL3800 Mixer
  • (1) Mackie 1604VLZ4 Pro Mixer
  • (1) Mackie 802-VLZ3 Mixer
  • (1) Mackie 3208 Mixer
  • (1) Mackie 2408 Mixer
  • (1) Mackie Mix8 Mixer
  • (7) NEC NP3250 video projectors
  • (3) Panasonic LZ370 video projectors
  • (2) RME A/D - D/A Interface ADI-8 DS
  • (1) Epson ProG7500U video projector

Microphones

Crown Sound Grabber II
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Hemisphere
Frequency Range: 50Hz - 1KHz
Impedance: 1600 Ohms
Max SPL: 120 dB SPL
Use: It is using professional versions of the AKG PZM (Pressure Zone Microphone) to improve the quality of their recordings.Ideal for recording conferences, interviews, home videos
 
 
Countryman B3 Lavalier
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Omni
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 300 Ohms
Max SPL: 150 dB SPL
Use: for an interview, a hair-hidden mic for drama, a water-resistant mic for water sports or hurricane reporting, or simply a small mic to hide in a prop flower vase
 
 
CAD Equitek E-200
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Supercardiod, Omni, Figure 8
Frequency Range: 10Hz - 18KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 148 dB SPL
Use: Vocals, Acoustic Instruments, Live Sound and Recording, Overhead and Room monitoring.
 
 
CAD Equitek E-100 (1997)
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Supercardiod
Frequency Range: 30Hz - 18KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 145 dB SPL
Use: universally useful, brass, guitar/bass cambinets, close‑miking snares/toms/cymbals, overheads, vocals, choir, pianos, and stringed instruments, not as main stereo array for a live concert.
 
 
CAD Equitek E-100 ^2 (2009)
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Supercardiod
Frequency Range: 10Hz - 30KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 148 dB SPL
Use: It is a second-generation revision of the E100, universally useful, brass, guitar/bass cambinets, close‑miking snares/toms/cymbals, overheads, vocals, choir, pianos, and stringed instruments, not as main stereo array for a live concert.
 
 
THE Audio KP6M
Type: Pressure transducer
Polar Pattern: Omni
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 90 Ohms
Max SPL: 128 dB SPL
Use: this is a specific measurement tool in conventional test and calibration systems, and good on instruments and live recording.
 
 
Crown PZM 30D
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Hemisphere
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 240 Ohms
Max SPL: 150 dB SPL
Use: This mic turns and surface into a recoding surface and is designed for professional recording, sound reinforcement and broadcasting. The capsule is mounted in the pressure zone.
 
 
RØDE NT5 (2002)
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 100 Ohms
Max SPL: 143 dB SPL
Use: Intended for recording acoustic instruments ( guitar, drums, percussion, piano, strings), and live performances
 
 
RØDE NTG2 Shotgun Mic
Type:
Polar Pattern:
Frequency Range:
Impedance:
Max SPL:
Use:
 
 
RØDE K2 (2004)
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod, Figure 8, Omni
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 162 dB SPL
Use: It not only provides world-class vocals but is perfectly at home recording a wide range of instruments ( guitar, percussion, piano, strings, vocal, speech)both up-close or in a wider ‘room' capacity.
 
 
Neumann KM184 (1993)
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 50 Ohms
Max SPL: 138 dB SPL
Use: For universal use, especially for recording situations when it is necessary to attenuate off-axis sound (mainly from the rear) from other nearby instruments
 
 
Shure SM80 (1982)
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Omni
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 85 Ohms
Max SPL: 137 dB SPL
Use: For studio recording, broadcasting and sound reinforcement equipment. Typical uses included classical music recording, pipe organ music recording, scientific measurement, and natural reverberation chamber pick up.
 
 
Shure SM57(1965)
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 15KHz
Impedance: 150 Ohms
Max SPL: 149 dB SPL
Use: For universal use (Guitar/Bass Amps, Brass, Saxophone, Harmonica, Snare/Tom, Conga.)
 
 
Audio Technica ATM33A
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 30Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 137 dB SPL
Use: Ideal for acoustic guitar, percussion, overheads, vocals and more. Excels in both studio and stage applications.
 
 
Audio Technica AT835ST Shotgun Mic
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod, Figure 8
Frequency Range: 40Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 123 dB SPL
Use: Engineered for long-distance pickup in film/TV production,professional recording, wildlife recording and broadcast applications.
 
 
AKG SE300B
Type: pre-amp
Polar Pattern:
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 2KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: n/a
Use: The pre-amp for the Blue Line Series capsules CK91, CK92, CK93, CK94 and CK98
 
 
AKG C414 B-XL II
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Omni, Wide Cardiod, Cardiod, Hypercardiod, Figure 8
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 140 dB SPL
Use: A classic microphone with a distinctive timbre especially designed for recording of solo vocals and solo instruments (Speech, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Violin, Cello, Zither, Piano(rock/jazz), Organ, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Saxophone, Flute,Clarinet, Harmonica, Tom-toms)
 
 
AKG C214
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 136 dB SPL
Use: Good high sensitivity mic with a built in bass rolloff filter. Good for recording piano, voice, strings, woodwinds, and other instruments as soloists. Ideal for close recording of instruments. For higher quality recording use the multi pattern C414.
 
 
Sennheiser 835
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 40Hz - 16KHz
Impedance: 350 Ohms
Max SPL: 154 dB SPL
Use: Good hard-to-break mic that is designed for vocal pickup
 
 
Generic Piezo Mics
Type: Contact
Polar Pattern:
Frequency Range:
Impedance:
Max SPL:
Use: Cheap contact mics for getting readings from a resonant body
 
 
Sennheiser Ambeo VR Mic
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 20 Ohms
Max SPL: 130 dB SPL
Use: Used for A format ambisonic recording.
 
 
Sennheiser E835 Wireless
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 40Hz - 16KHz
Impedance: 350 Ohms
Max SPL:
Use: Good for lectures and other situations requiring a wireless mic. Only for use in the MEIT
 
 
Sennheiser me2 clip on mic and receiver
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Omni
Frequency Range: 50Hz - 18KHz
Impedance:
Max SPL: 130 dB SPL
Use: Clip on mic with wireless receiver
 
 
Barcus Berry 4000: Planar Wave Piano and Harp Pickup System
Type: Contact
Polar Pattern: Contact
Frequency Range: 5Hz - 30KHz
Impedance: 1000 Ohms
Max SPL: 110 dB SPL
Use: Great for a dry piano sound.
 
 
Sure VP88 Stereo Mic
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Mid-Side
Frequency Range: 40Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 150 Ohms
Max SPL: 129 dB SPL
Use: Great for quick on-site recording
 
 
Aquarian Hydrophone
Type:
Polar Pattern:
Frequency Range:
Impedance:
Max SPL:
Use:
 
 
AKG C1000S (2012)
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardiod, Hypercardiod
Frequency Range: 50Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Max SPL: 137 dB SPL
Use: The updated version of the C1000 S multipurpose small-diaphragm condenser microphone is extremely popular for its versatility. It is suitable for recording and live-sound applications as well as for ENG/EFP and video productions. Its gold sputtered capsule housing makes the microphone extremely rugged against humidity. If no phantom power is available, the C1000 S can be powered by two standard AA batteries for up to 120 hours.