Located in the bottom of a lushly green valley, Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, is America’s largest free-admission theme park, with over 60 rides, food, games, and gift shops.
Built in 1926, Knoebels was in need of extensive audio upgrades to best serve the thousands of visitors it receives annually. The first step of this process was to replace the park’s aging 70-volt system with a new solution to provide more comprehensive coverage and an open platform, enabling expansion for years to come.
SOLUTION
Drew Kanaskie, Knoebels’ Audio Technician, was in charge of the project from conception to implementation, with design assistance provided by Moyer Electronics of Pottsville, PA. After much research and an on-site evaluation, Kanaskie selected Biamp’s Community E SERIES column-format line source and point source loudspeaker systems.
“We are able to create a canvas of sound using the advantage of E SERIES’ wide angle of coverage,” said Kanaskie. “In the environment of an amusement park there is ambient sound coming from everywhere.” To produce the desired clarity, it was decided to place a higher density of loudspeakers at locations closer to the listener. “By locating loudspeakers at 10 to 12 feet above ground level we were naturally closer to the listener’s ear. This meant that we could typically use the underside of a building’s roof overhang, or just below the glass fixture of a light pole. We hid many loudspeakers on poles with banners affixed to them; an easy solution with the slender profile of the E SERIES.”
The coverage pattern of E SERIES meant audio power wasn’t being wasted up in the air, allowing for a broad scope with fewer units. “By selecting a variety of E SERIES models, we found that balancing the EQ for the total system was easy to accomplish,” Kanaskie said. “Once we had shaped the system for the smallest speakers, we basically enjoyed more low-end from the larger models without having to EQ each model separately.”
CONCLUSION
The first phase of Knoebels’ upgrade comprised fifty-four Community ENT203 loudspeakers, seventy-four ENT206, eight ENT212, and two R SERIES R.35COAX. “We chose ENT212 loudspeakers for large open areas that are required to reproduce voice and music. In the more intimate settings, below low roofs and in narrower corridors, we chose ENT203, and for all other areas we used the ENT206,” Kanaskie said. “In one location, where we have free entertainment performances several times each day, we selected Community R SERIES R.35COAX loudspeakers as ideal for the application.” With the implementation of Biamp’s Community loudspeakers throughout the park Knoebels now has a strong, reliable foundation for its audio overhaul. “The E SERIES system in use throughout the park has performed excellently,” Kanaskie said.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
