AcousticsdB conducted acoustic modeling to determine the best way to control sound reflections without resorting to acoustic panels. It was vitally important to focus the sound completely on the congregation and not at all on the walls. After analyzing the room, dB selected a Danley Genesis Horn speaker as the main speaker, with coverage perfectly matched to the Nave’s dimensions. Two small fill speakers effectively cover the remaining seating areas, and an 18-inch subwoofer provides low-frequency coverage to the entire room. A single Danley speaker serves as a monitor for the choir and provides wide enough coverage to serve the whole Chancel area. To preserve the aesthetics of the space, dB took paint samples so the speaker cabinet colors could be matched exactly to the walls and ceiling.
PA System
The Advent needed a new PA system that could handle a large number of inputs while still being easy for volunteers to operate. dB selected the Allen & Heath dLive system, which can accommodate up to 64 inputs ranging from wireless microphones to instrument microphones. “Snapshot” settings empower volunteers to call up specific settings for the various services without extensive audio tech expertise. Because the church did not wish to have a permanent control booth in the Nave, the control surface is installed on a rolling rack to be brought out only when necessary, but wirelessly accessible at any time.
Control Center
The backbone of this audio system is a Q-SYS platform from QSC. The entire system, including all rooms and zones, is controlled with a 7-inch touch screen on the master equipment rack. A small equipment rack in the Refectory houses a remote interface that allows additional input/output options and connects to the Q-SYS platform with a single CAT6 cable.