Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina was chartered and established in 1864.
The ‘u-shaped’ sanctuary seats approximately 2,100, and with two services on Sunday mornings, the church serves a congregation of 3,000.
Recently, Palmetto Sound Works of Spartanburg, S.C. was contracted to perform an upgrade to their existing audio system originally installed in 1995.
About four years ago, the audio contractor performed a partial upgrade that included a Yamaha M7CL-48 digital audio console.
This year, the complete upgrade includes a second M7CL-48 along with Yamaha Installation Series IF Speakers, PC amps, and a DME 64n processor.
“The major challenge to installing a new system was being able to evenly distribute audio to a ‘u-shaped’ room, said Ben Babb, Palmetto Sound Works.”
“The stage and podium area are in the center with the seating area wrapping around three sides. Over 60% of the main floor is covered with balcony.”
“Therefore, getting sound under the balconies was one concern, and installing a processor that would handle this variety of delay zones and equalizations was a major consideration in the project.”
Taylors First Baptist was also having problems with some of the ‘dying’ components in their existing speaker system. Babb said that after Palmetto demonstrated the Yamaha IF 2115’s, a combination of IF2115’s, IF2112’s, IF2205’s and IF2108’s speakers were chosen to cover seven delay zones.
Danley TH115’s are used as subwoofers because of their compact size and available space at the church. Yamaha PC2001n and PC9501n amplifiers power the system.
The Yamaha DME64n digital mix engine is controlling the majority of the audio system. The M7CL at the front of house position is equipped with ES100 and EX cards to allow digital EtherSound communication between the DME64n and two ES168 stage boxes.
The DME64n is handling the system processing for the array of speakers, the delay for the seven zones, presets for when the stage is extended to pageant-style and the center down fills have to be attenuated.
“Our congregation noticed an immediate difference in terms of clarity and volume, states Jesse Lee, Media Director.”
“With the old PA, mixing a contemporary style worship service was problematic to the point of being completely underwhelming to everyone in the room, including our musicians and vocalists!”
“Since the installation, the Yamaha system has been able to handle everything we’ve thrown at it beautifully, including a full band and orchestra, vocal team and choir all performing simultaneously.”
