Q-SYS™ Handles Audio Distribution and Paging at Modernized Dallas Love Field Airport

Dallas, TX (July 2013) — As the concourse reconstruction project at Dallas Love Field, home of Southwest Airlines, moves into its final phase, Dallas-based design, build and installation firm Master Sound Co., Inc. has outfitted the new facility with a QSC Audio Q-SYS™ Integrated System Platform. Redundant Q-SYS Core 4000 processors power the new networking system, which also includes 14 I/O Frames integrated with more than 20 PS-1600 networked page stations and three dozen CX Series two-and four-channel amplifiers.

The new terminal is the first installation in the world to be designed from the ground up based on a redundant Q-SYS system. The initial 11 gates at Love Field were opened to the public in mid-April, 2013 at the new terminal, which will include a total of 20 gates when the $519 million project is completed in fall 2014.

According to installer Wayne Dalton, President and founder of Master Sound, the paging system comprises a master station at each of the counters in the ticketing and check-in area with paging stations at each of the gate ramps. The Q-SYS system also drives paging throughout what is known as the Stem Departure area, the Diamond Concession area and the individual gate holding areas.

The twin redundant Core 4000 processors and 14 I/O Frames are outfitted with a total of 25 Q-SYS CIML4-HP mic/line input cards, 27 Q-SYS CODP4 DataPort output cards and a Q-SYS COL4 line output card. The system also includes two Q-SYS I/O-22 standalone remote two-channel analog I/O units. Fourteen Q-SYS DAB-801 redundant amplifier control panels provide extended backup capabilities for the installed Q-SYS IO Frames and CX Series amplifiers populated with DataPort cards.

A total of 12 two-channel CX602V and 23 four-channel CX204V amplifiers, configured for 70V line distribution, drive over 650 assorted surface-mount and in-ceiling speakers in the terminal and the ramp areas. The system also provides a line-level audio feed to another system serving the main lobby where the placement of ceiling speakers could not be accomplished. Announcements are generated via 21 Q-SYS PS-1600 16-button Page Stations located at the departure lounges and ticketing counters, with 20 remote microphones positioned at each of the gates.

In addition to the 11 gates (a twelfth is due to open in July 2013) the new terminal includes a concourse configured with 12 new restaurants and 12 new retail shops. The final eight gates are scheduled to open in October 2014, along with an additional six new restaurants and six new retail outlets. At that time the new baggage claim area will open, the old Terminal 1 will be closed, and all carriers will operate out of the new concourse. The new terminal construction meets the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certifiable standards as defined by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Southwest Airlines opened for business at Love Field in 1971, initially flying between Dallas and Houston and San Antonio. With the deregulation of the airline industry in 1979 Southwest opened its first route outside of Texas, to New Orleans, but the Wright amendment, designed to protect airlines operating out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, imposed certain limitations on further expansion. When the Wright restrictions come to an end on October 14, 2014, Southwest and other carriers based at Love Field will be allowed to fly nonstop to any other U.S. city for the first time since 1980. With that in mind, the city-owned airport and Southwest Airlines launched a modernization project at Love Field, which had remained largely unchanged since the 1990s.

About Master Sound
Master Sound was founded in 1977 by 3 former installers from Sound Engineering Company of Dallas. The three founders have over 75 years experience selling, installing and servicing sound, paging and intercommunication systems throughout the entire north Texas area. The founders have been involved in the installation of the systems at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Texas Stadium (Home of the Dallas Cowboys), Dallas Convention Center's first expansion and many other high profile projects.

From the beginning, Master Sound has been respected by its customers for its dedication to taking care of customers’ needs whether large or small. For the past nearly 30 years the company has been managed by one of the original founders and today is the oldest local commercial sound company in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Today, Master Sound has over 30 employees, with an experienced sales, engineering and service department and a fleet of more than 20 vehicles for installation, service, and inspections.