Reading-based audio systems integrator SFL, a specialist in the house of worship sector, has passed a significant milestone since becoming one of the first UK dealers for the RSS range. Mark Payne and his team have now sold 20 of the compact M-400 V-Mixing Systems, following the installation of two consoles into the newly-built Finchampstead Baptist Church in Berkshire, and a complete M-400 with 8-way M-48 Personal Monitor System to the Dominion Centre in London.
The FBC is an impressive house of worship, offering a rich variety of facilities to the local Baptist community which raised a substantial sum in grants and donations to build it. The modern design houses a sports hall, library, café and youth centre, all spaces which work flexibly to accommodate everything from the weekly church services to a creche.
Audio infrastructure is at the heart of the FBC's versatility. SFL's chief system designer Tim Horton arrived on the project early enough to install a Cat 5e cable network throughout the building, with two REAC lines connecting the main live performance spaces, the Gym and the Youth Loft.
The Gym, which is a multi-purpose hall that houses the Sunday worship services and doubles as creche, badminton court, drama workshop and meeting venue, has been equipped with a mobile 48-channel M-400 mixing console that can be wheeled out and plugged into the wall-mounted 40-channel S-4000 stageboxes as required.
Upstairs, the compact 100-capacity Youth Loft also has built-in stageboxes offering 32 channels and 8 returns on its small stage. The FBC's new M-380 digital console makes the most of its portable size; it can be wheeled out and plugged in for concerts and events, or used as a secondary mixer for the main Gym downstairs. SFL has completed the project with the installation of Tannoy V Series loudspeakers and subs, and cleverly, the addition of a small plug-and-play solution which allows users to play iPod output or use a single mic without having to access the main systems.
In north London, the Dominion Centre is a 1800-capacity former bingo hall, replete with original Art Deco architectural features, refurbished at no small cost by the Universal Prayer Group Ministries.
Drawing on SFL expertise, this very large church has paired an L'Acoustics Kudo/Kiva front-of-house system with RSS stage-sound control. A M-400 V-Mixer sits side of stage for monitor mixing, while each member of the large band has access to a M-48 Personal Monitor Mixer.
The Dominion Church was the biggest install of 2009 for SFL. According to Mark Payne, "It's not just about technology, it's about creating the right acoustic environment. And an environment in which non-audio professionals can thrive; with this equipment, the choir, the pastor, extra vocalists and other novices can be up and running very quickly, it's much easier than using an analogue desk and stage wedges."
(Jim Evans)
