Closed for 15 months while the renovation was carried out, when parishioners returned they also found a new QSC sound system, which they discovered not only blended in with the white aesthetic but delivered an intelligibility which they had not imagined possible.
A pair of white polystyrene AcousticDesign AD-S282Hs, yoke-mounted vertically onto the sanctuary walls on either side of the altar, provide the dispersion for both the gallery and ground floor seating tiers, while a pair of outfacing high-output AD-S82H speakers (using the IntelliDock intelligent mounting system) extend coverage to the wrap-around side pews.
Installation contractor Gary McElveen, who runs local PA specialists Communication Systems, had been introduced to the project by electrical consultants Williams & Shaw. Although a seasoned audio professional, the unusual shape of the building persuaded McElveen to seek further advice, and he in turn contacted Jim Hooks at local dealers DJ Kilpatrick. "The church is extremely wide and narrow, with a gallery that virtually overlooks the altar," said McElveen. "In the 23 years I have been in the business I have never fitted out a church shaped like this - it was far from being the usual rectangle."
By chance, Hooks had just returned from the NAMM Show in Anaheim where he had seen and heard QSC Audio's AcousticDesign system and was unhesitating in recommending them. The tender went in and Communication Systems were awarded the contract.
The usual reverberation associated with Houses of Worship barely manifested itself - fortunately for the installers, since the lack of available time prevented them from commissioning an EASE model of the building. They went purely on experience and McElveen was delighted that he could install the system with a fairly flat EQ and detect no hotspots wherever they positioned themselves among the 1200 seats.
The low impedance system is backed up by a 100V line recessed ceiling speaker system which also ensures even coverage at the back and out in the entrance foyer.
The QSC equipment was provided by Shure Distribution (UK) who also supplied a Shure SLX wireless system (lapel and handheld for the officiating clergy and soloist in the gallery) as well as boundary mic and gooseneck for the lectern.
(Jim Evans)
