Berkeley Auditorium Acoustic Renewal: From Legacy to Next-Gen: Modernizing UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Auditorium with Meyer Constellation
Customer Information
Customer Name: University of California, Berkeley
Industry: Higher Education
Date: August, 2025
Location: Berkeley, CA
Project Size: Complete upgrade of Zellerbach Auditorium’s Meyer Sound Constellation system to the latest generation platform (the first venue worldwide to host Meyer Sound’s Constellation system in 2006, now upgraded to the next-generation platform).
Technology Used:
- Legacy System Replaced:
Meyer Sound Constellation (≈40 ambient microphones, ≈140 distributed loudspeakers, D-Mitri/VRAS DSP, and Ensemble virtual stage shell).
- New Deployment:
Next-generation loudspeaker providing uniform coverage across ~2,014 seats
Advanced DSP processors for real-time room tuning and multiple presets
Networked audio distribution for central monitoring and simplified operation
Scalable AV control integration compatible with future updates
Description of the Project:
The Zellerbach Auditorium, Berkeley’s 2,014-seat flagship venue, is home to Cal Performances, hosting orchestras, dance, theater, and spoken word.
The previous Meyer Constellation system offered variable acoustics by blending signals from dozens of microphones with a distributed loudspeaker network, processed through D-Mitri’s VRAS engine. This allowed the hall to shift acoustical signatures via presets (e.g., rehearsal vs. performance). While innovative, the system had reached end-of-life, with increased maintenance needs and limited compatibility with modern AV control.
We Install IT deployed a new acoustic architecture tailored to Berkeley’s multipurpose programming. The project included complete decommissioning of the Constellation system, installation of a modernized sound distribution system and DSP units.
Pre-Visit Activities:
Coordination with Berkeley’s facilities and Cal Performances staff
Infrastructure upgrades for DSP and audio networking
Equipment staging and integration logistics
Install Visit (Summer 2025):
The installation was executed during the summer break to minimize disruption.
Activities included:
Removal of the Constellation hardware (microphones, speakers, processors)
Deployment of new loudspeaker with optimized coverage mapping
Integration into the university’s AV control system with centralized monitoring
Key Outcomes:
Dramatic improvement in speech intelligibility and overall sound quality
Enhanced flexibility for lectures, concerts, and special events
Streamlined operations with simplified control interfaces
Future-ready system designed for scalability and software updates
This project highlights We Install IT’s capability to deliver large-scale acoustic transformations in prestigious educational institutions, ensuring world-class performance environments for decades to come.