Additional Aspects
While the Qflex/VNET tandem handles the vast majority of coverage needs, there are still a couple of regions requiring support. Tannoy Di5 compact loudspeakers are discretely mounted left and right (and also painted to match) to provide coverage to the narthex in the very front area.
Two more Di5s, also column mounted, are utilized to extend coverage to the choir, which is located behind the pulpit, with one more for the pulpit for “preview and confidence” (a.k.a. monitoring). These loudspeakers are driven by eight speakers in three zones, two in the narthex, four at the pulpit and two for the choir.
QSC Audio ISA-280 amplifiers in the rack room, joined by a Biamp AudiaFlex, provides processing and delay for the support loudspeakers as well as overall system control and touring. Settings are locked down so they can’t be changed, except volume levels.
Vocal reinforcement is provided by Shure wireless transmitters outfitted with Countryman lavalier microphones.Six Shure ULXP receivers are rack mounted in the rack room to support the handheld and body worn transmitters. Both podiums are equipped with Clockaudio microphones.
With the system largely devoted to spoken word reinforcement, there’s also no need for a mixing console. Audio levels can be adjusted via a wireless remote that interfaces with the AudioFlex platform, and this remote also works with the Crestron-controlled lighting system (also installed by CCS).
The rack room is also home to a plethora of video streaming gear. There are two additional buildings on the church campus that are utilized for other styles of worship, and via a NewTek TriCaster Studio and three Vaddio high definition pan tilt zoom cameras, can transmit video streams (via Ethernet) of the services to use within their worship program or to home bound parishioners.
The TriCaster is equipped with an offset tool that allows for a 6-minute delay, enough time for the A/V tech to optimize the audio via a Mackie 802- VLZ3 8-channel mixer and caption the
video with TriCaster’s video effects prior to distribution. Services are also made available for download via the Internet.
“Meeting the specific aesthetic and sonic requirements of this project was paramount, but it was all under one overall goal of the client – provide the absolute best solution for everyone to receive information from a variety of media sources,” concludes Andrewson. “That’s what we sought to deliver, and the client, as well as the patrons, indicate we hit the mark.”
Julie McLean Clark is a writer and marketing consultant working who has worked in the pro audio industry for more than 15 years.