The cathedral's long-time audio contractors, RG Jones Sound Engineering Ltd., proposed QSC amplification based on an extensive system survey by Arup Acoustics' consultant Sam Wise. Wise had recommended that the overall set up required increased headroom and greater sonic clarity to better reach the cathedral's congregations of up to 2,600 people. RG Jones, in turn, recommended the QSC solution, partly due to its familiarity with the products' reliability, but primarily because, "it has a true 100V line-isolated transformer output," according to project manager Jon Berry, who specified 24 channels of amplification to drive the existing loudspeakers.
Berry is known for his attention to detail, as well as his visionary approach. "One of the reasons I chose QSC was because of its DataPort facility," Berry explained. "We wanted the option to expand and enhance the system's functionality in the future."
Berry also noted that QSC was chosen, due to the efficiency and support from both QSC headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA, and locally from UK distributors Shure Distribution. "The system has to be run from a UPS, and since the amplifiers are located in the body of the church, QSC helped us carry out modifications to the ISA 300T's. By running the fans a lower speed we've been able to reduce the noise to a minimum."
The church's original system was designed exclusively for speech reinforcement, but as Berry explained, "the cathedral's current requirements are far more versatile, embracing different types of media, such as corporate events and concerts. There's a lot more music involved on a regular basis now, and the requirement for radio microphones has increased as well."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
