Roone Arledge Auditorium Receives Major Audio Upgrade to Enhance Student and Client Events

Led by Event Management's Audio Visual team, the project focused on modernizing the sound systems in both the Roone Arledge Auditorium and Cinema while expanding the University's ability to support a wider variety of events. 

According to the Event Management team, the project was driven by two primary objectives: improving the experience for student events and enhancing the quality of service provided to conference and external clients. 

"For attendees, the most notable improvement is simple: they can now hear clearly and accurately what is happening on stage," said Bryson Ezell, Assistant Director for Audio Visual, Columbia Event Management. "Rather than struggling to understand a speaker or presentation, audiences can remain engaged and focused on the event itself." 

Supporting Student Events at a Higher Level 

The upgrades significantly expand the resources available to student organizations, particularly groups that regularly host large-scale productions, screenings, performances, and conferences. 

In the past, organizations such as the Columbia Musical Theatre Society and Varsity Show often needed to rent supplemental audio equipment to meet their production requirements. With the new investments, much of that equipment is now available in-house, reducing costs for student groups while improving production capabilities. 

Another major enhancement addresses a long-standing challenge during sold-out events. Previously, when the Cinema was used as an overflow space for large audiences, guests sometimes experienced inconsistent audio quality. The new system allows the Auditorium and Cinema sound systems to operate together, ensuring a high-quality listening experience regardless of where attendees are seated. 

The Cinema itself also received a major upgrade, including a new 5.1 surround sound system that provides a more immersive experience for film screenings and special presentations hosted by groups such as the Ferris Reel Film Society. 

In addition, functional components from the previous sound systems are being repurposed in other campus event spaces, extending the value of the project and expanding support for student programming across campus. 

Enhancing Conference and Client Experiences 

For conference clients and professional events, the upgraded systems improve speech clarity and audio coverage throughout the venue. 

The new speaker and microphone systems make it easier for audience members to hear presenters, even when speakers are soft-spoken or presenting from different areas of the stage. Event Management staff can now provide more consistent audio coverage throughout the Auditorium, helping ensure a high-quality experience for all attendees. 

The project also included repairs and upgrades to the sound system in Auditorium West, the space beneath the Cinema that is frequently used for receptions, catering, and breakout events. The renewed system can operate independently or in conjunction with the Auditorium, providing greater flexibility for event planners. When divided by the air wall, the spaces can now support separate events simultaneously. 

The Audio Visual team also expanded its inventory of wireless and instrument microphones. The venue can now support panels of up to 24 presenters at once using a combination of handheld, lavalier, and headset microphones. The addition of TED Talk-style headset microphones gives presenters more options and flexibility based on the needs of their event. 

Behind the scenes, repairs to cable pathways between stage and backstage areas now allow cables to be routed beneath the stage, reducing visual clutter and creating a cleaner presentation environment. 

New Technology Across the Venue 

Among the most significant upgrades to the Auditorium are: 

• A new speaker system featuring three line-array speaker clusters
• Four subwoofers installed beneath the stage
• Front-fill, monitor, and backstage speaker coverage
• Twenty-four channels of wireless microphones
• New instrument microphones for concerts and performances
• A new intercom system to improve backstage communication
• Repairs to critical AV infrastructure throughout the venue 

The Cinema upgrades include: 

• A completely new surround sound system with left, center, right, and surround speaker channels
• Four channels of wireless microphones
• Full 5.1 surround sound playback capabilities for screenings
• Additional infrastructure improvements and repairs 

These enhancements have transformed both spaces into more versatile venues capable of supporting a broader range of programming. 

Collaboration within Facilities and Operations 

The success of the project relied on collaboration across multiple University teams. Event Management worked closely with Simon Hickey, a project manager in Facilities & Operations, to ensure the new speaker systems could be successfully integrated into the building's structure. The Electrical Shop assisted with decommissioning legacy equipment, while Lerner Hall building staff supported the removal, disposal, and recycling of retired systems. 

Discovering a Piece of Lerner Hall History 

The project also uncovered some details about the history of Lerner Hall's original AV infrastructure. 

While reviewing original floor plans to trace cable routes, the team learned that the building's lighting-board operator and stage manager were originally stationed in a third-floor control booth rather than inside the Auditorium. The space, now used for storage, still contained equipment left behind from earlier years. 

The team also discovered that the Auditorium's original sound system had been operated entirely from the Cinema. As a result, events in the Auditorium and Cinema could not occur simultaneously, an operational limitation that today's upgraded systems have now eliminated. 

Learn more about Lerner Hall, including how to book your next event in the Auditorium or Cinema, on the Event Management website.