In the Great Hall itself, Marquee has installed a central cluster of Meyer M1D self-powered loudspeakers. Marquee offered two alternative PA designs, explaining the pros and cons of each. "We took a view based on the inadequacies of the old system, which had been systematically adapted over a number of years," says venue manager Michael Sharp. "Particularly poor had been the facilities for the hard-of-hearing. The induction loop was subject to a lot of interference - and we were recommended a Sennheiser infra-red system."
Marquee's project manager, Scott Wakelin, needed to provide evenly-distributed coverage for a hall with a ground floor capacity of 1,100, with a further 1,100 filling the raked seating on the balcony. Once Meyer had been given the nod, his solution was to complement the flown cluster with four UPM-1P three-way active loudspeakers at front of stage, treating the under-balconies with a pair of Meyer MM-4s. Four Turbosound TXD12M floor monitors are provided for the musicians and choir, and a highly-specified processing rack at the front-of-house position supports the main mixing desk - a 24-channel, 8-bus Allen & Heath ML3000-824. Audio system control is via the Biamp Nexia series DSP and Meyer's dedicated MM4 processor and different sources can be selected via the Cue Guide-SRF integrated colour wireless remote control, operated via RF.
Both the Cue and Nexia systems are programmed to allow operation in a basic stereo or mono mode, with projectors and four direct mics from stage, all via the Cue touch screen; this is applicable for Sunday service and basic conferencing requirements. However, a second level of control allows 24 mic channels to be mixed, and the individual mixes sent to eight individual speakers for more complex applications.
The Central Hall also found a use for its two white-wall surfaces flanking the pipe organ, and asked Marquee to provide projection with sufficient resolution to magnify hymn and prayer texts for the Sunday morning services. The solution was a pair of Elki LC-X70 projectors, fitted with a 7:1 long throw lens.
As a result of this refit, Central Hall's directors believe they can now increase their scope for conferences, banquets, exhibitions, concerts, graduation ceremonies - and of course provide better facilities for the church services. Sharp comments: "We've had some very good feedback - in fact one of our congregation members said it was the first time he had heard the service properly!"
