Meyer Leopards reinforce Orlando church
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Audio was a critical component in achieving the technical goals, and a keystone element of the solution is a reinforcement system based around Meyer Sound Leopard line array loudspeakers.
“We were looking for a major step up from the aging point source system at our old broadcast campus,” says Zack Howes, technical director at the new Sand Lake campus. “We wanted a system with higher output and greater intelligibility, and also rider-friendly. We wanted to up our own game at weekend services but also be ready for high-profile special events.”
Long before “groundbreaking” on the new campus (actually a total renovation of a former sporting goods store), the church tech team linked up with Orlando-based Pro Sound to evaluate possible solutions. As part of the process, a temporary Leopard system was installed at the old campus for A Night of Worship.
“This is an event we have twice a year where we really open it up and pull out the stops beyond regular Sunday services,” says Howes. “The result that night was awesome. Leopard blew away what we already had in that space.”
The new custom-tailored system, designed by Pro Sound lead engineer Craig Compton, is anchored by main arrays of eight-each Leopard line array loudspeakers plus eight UPM‑1XP loudspeakers as front-fills and two of the new ULTRA‑X42 loudspeakers as fills to cover side seating. Low frequencies are bolstered by eight 900‑LFC low-frequency control elements, with six flown as a cardioid centre array and two on the floor.
“The new system ticks all the boxes in terms of headroom, intelligibility, and coverage,” says Howes. “We still have a bit of a lively room, but despite that the sound is very controlled for broadcast, keeping almost all reflections away from the stage.”
The front end of the reinforcement system revolves around DiGiCo SD-12 digital consoles, one each for broadcast, FOH, and monitors, all linked by an Optocore fibre optic backbone.
The new Sand Lake Campus is centred around the spacious, 12,000sq.ft worship auditorium with seating for 1,350 and also provides spaces for youth ministry, children’s activities, and community outreach. In addition to the main broadcast center at Sand Lake Road, Discovery Church has campuses at Winter Garden and Alafaya Trail.
