TOA provides sound advice to Brompton Oratory
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Consecrated in 1884, the oratory has utilised audio equipment for many years, but required the latest technology to replace the aging system. Worthing based System Design Audio was called in to specify, configure and install a new solution.
“As a specialist in church sound systems we have grown our business purely through word of mouth,” explains Peter Hearn, managing director at System Design Audio. “Our reputation has spread throughout the religious community and now this type of work forms 99 per cent of our business activity. Having already completed projects for hundreds of churches, I was delighted to receive a call from Brompton Oratory and, after carrying out a full survey, we presented our recommendations.”
Brompton Oratory’s previous audio system had been in-situ for over 30 years and although still functional, it produced distorted sound by today’s standards. Those speaking also had to get very close to the microphone to ensure their voices were picked up, while people with quiet voices were often inaudible in various parts of the church.
“Audio technology has moved on considerably over the last two decades and it was clear that we would be able to configure a system that improved overall quality of sound,” adds Hearn. “About 12 years ago TOA Corporation UK introduced one of the first line array speaker systems, which we installed at Arundel Cathedral. During that installation we took out 44 speakers and replaced them with just four. This resulted in a massive improvement in sound quality and I have been convinced of the benefits of this technology ever since. Therefore, I was confident that it could also provide excellent results for Brompton Oratory.”
The solution System Design Audio came up with was based around TOA’s SR-S4 line array speakers. Malcolm Crummey, TOA Corporation UK’s sales manager UK and Ireland, comments, “SR-S4 speakers are designed to perform optimally with ideal sound dispersion characteristics in spaces that pose difficulties for more conventional speaker systems. Available in different configurations and with a wide range of mounting possibilities to suit particular requirements precisely, these slim tower configured devices offer a perfect solution for difficult sound reinforcement problems that require effective coverage.”
Complementing the SR-S4s is TOA Corporation UK’s M-9000M2 digital matrix mixer - a modular matrix mixer and digital signal processor (DSP). When it comes to amplification, TOA Corporation UK’s DA-250 has also been installed.
Hearn concludes: “Part of the reason that the installation went so smoothly was due to the design features of the TOA equipment. Ease of use is always built in and the result is a highly satisfactory working process and final result. The first time the new system was tested was for a Eucharistic celebration just before Christmas and I have to say that the effect produced in terms of clarity and sound quality greatly enhanced the overall ambience and for a church experience, it created one of my most relaxing and enjoyable experiences.”
(Jim Evans)
