Director Phil Lidstone believes this purpose-specific policy has given them a competitive edge in one of the company's core market areas.
"We design for each individual application rather than use a one-system-fits-all approach," he stated. "We are known as specialists in this sector, where we integrate the two disciplines of pro audio and audio visual under a common control platform. It's a case of being able to differentiate between speech-only systems and those requiring a full dynamic range - and make them operable by non technical users."
RCF, he says, have systems that cover all eventualities. "We have confidence in their ranges, and from R&D to finished product, everything is developed-in house. Having seen their facilities in Italy, their build quality is excellent."
In the parish of Wardie, Edinburgh, the old Episcopal Church of Scotland had been operating an ancient 100V line system when d3 Audio and Visual were called in. Retaining the aesthetics was key to the brief, and the integrators opted for RCF's L2406 full range high intelligibility discreet two-way speaker column array. With its vertical controlled directivity, it provided precisely the dispersion pattern required.
Up in Dundee, d3 Audio and Visual re-equipped St. Peters Free Church, enabling them to bring about a change of direction and presentation style. This time the company took a different approach, specifying 10 RCF Acustica C3108W's and a pair of floor-mounted S4012 compact 12" subwoofers.
Some of the C3018W's are mounted in pairs on columns along the length of the church, while others are flown above the ceiling void. d3 Audio and Visual evolved a unique mounting solution, dropping the loudspeakers down on chrome poles.
Control, as in Wardie, is via an Allen & Heath iDR8, carrying the sound up to the raked balcony, while a Soundcraft GB2 mixer, Audio Technica and Shure radio mics and QSC 4-channel amps complete the audio package.
"The requirement for the system was to deliver great acoustic reproduction of speech and music for regular Sunday services - at the same time making sure the system had a wide dynamic range to cover almost any eventuality," stated Phil Lidstone. "The Acusticas provide impressive HF and accurate response with subs delivering the extended frequency range when required. Certainly this combination provides plenty of headroom in the system."
Finally, Destiny is a growing contemporary church in Edinburgh which began 11 years ago. In August 2008, they opened their second worship centre in the city - in a converted 700-seat 1930s cinema.
Given the room's abundance of hard surfaces, the sound system upgrade proved extremely challenging for d3. Having considered their options they specified four elements of RCF TT Series line array flown either side of the high stage - one of the first in the UK.
The system comprises two ground-stacked TTL-31A's per side, with four TTL12-AS subs (floor mounted). Completing the complement of speakers are a pair each of TTS 18A (18" subs), a pair of TT22-A (for balcony-fills) and TT08-A (mezzanine level).
"Compared with the church's original system, this is a phenomenal improvement," concluded Phil Lidstone.
(Jim Evans)
