Stage volume became a challenge when the loudness of monitor wedges and guitar amps began competing with the PA system. In addition, there was a constant struggle to make each performer comfortable with his monitor mix. What would make one musician happy would be wrong for the next one. The Aviom Personal Mixers, along with in-ear monitoring systems, have solved these challenges, allowing the musicians to customize their monitor mixes while also reducing the extra volume caused by the monitors and amps, creating a better performance experience for the musicians and a better service for the congregation.
"The transition to contemporary worship was spurred by the church's plan to attract new members. One of the key elements of that plan was the regular use of major recording artists as Sunday morning worship leaders, which required an equipment upgrade to match," says Kevin Hartman, technical director for Sunset Christian Centre. "Our goals then, were to improve sound on stage and in the house, and give each band member individual monitor mix control. The Aviom Personal Mixers allow us to accomplish that very easily."
At front of house, 16 line-level signals from the console, a Yamaha PM1D, are fed into an Aviom AN-16/i Input Module. The signal is then sent via Cat 5 to an A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor located on stage, which distributes the signal and DC power to seven A-16II Personal Mixers being used by bass, drums, electric guitars, percussion, keyboard and piano. The musicians use the personal mixers in conjunction with Shure, Westone, or M-Audio in-ear monitors.
"The system is really easy to use. Musicians learn to use it quickly, and when rehearsal is over, they can save their mix into memory," Hartman notes. "It's great to know their mixes are safe, even if another ministry uses the stage before they come back. Another great feature is the 'trim' function. With a simple click you can reduce all the channels a little, and then bring up the one source that you need louder."
(Jim Evans)
