Historic mission upgrades with Martin Audio
- Details
San Diego-based AV company Sound Image Integration, now part of Clair Global Integration, have been servicing the Mission’s audio, camera, and video distribution requirements for the past 20 years. Business development manager, Scott Coyle, explained that to keep the Serra Centre worship space fully operable as it carries out vital community work, previously sympathetic budget decisions were undertaken.
That was until a decision was made to reorientate the interior, from its traditional long rectangular shape, through 90°, to bring the congregation - which can reach 1,200 -closer to the altar. Coyle recognised that “while it made more sense that way, the sound was compromised due to a succession of ceiling speakers.”
When administrators recognised that a more serious and permanent approach to their sound was required, it was the Martin Audio Torus T820 constant curvature solution that Coyle proposed, bearing in mind that with the reconfiguration, the church now had extraordinary width but little depth.
“We knew the focus needed to be principally the spoken word,” he said. “However, at the same time they have large congregations attending their weekend masses when a full choir and band perform.”
They looked at the space, and reviewed the types of speakers that would serve best for clarity, coverage and budget. “Having undertaken several projects with Martin Audio over the years in the house of worship space, Torus was our recommendation. Based on our long-standing relationship I knew we would have their trust,” he added.
An approach was made to Martin Audio product support engineer, Will Harris, who duly set to work on a design. “When [the church] saw the visualisation and coverage map of how the speakers would react within the room, they were truly wowed,” said Coyle.
Harris himself recalled: “With such a beautiful and historic building I knew that the minimal visual footprint would be needed to get this done right and the Torus T820 really fit the bill. We were able to get them well tucked away within the architecture of the building.”
Delivering high output from an 8” speaker within a compact footprint, it is the 100° horizontal and 20° vertical dispersion pattern that make it suitable for the short throw requirement within this space. Left/Right flown pairs flank a central cluster of four T820 elements, while out wide on each wing wall-mounted Martin Audio CDD10’s provide optional out-fill reinforcement, generally depending on whether the choir is in session.
SX112 subwoofers warm up the sound and fit snugly into the existing cut-outs in the ceiling, while the entire rig is powered by a pair of matched iKON iK81 eight-channel amplifiers.
Kerey Quaid, the Mission’s music director, concludes: “The new speakers and amplification system are a great improvement for both music and spoken word in our worship space. We have both clarity and bass (for the first time), and equally good sound for the whole congregation. Great equipment.”
