Stepping into the octagon-shaped First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C. may not have been as intimidating as stepping into a similarly-shaped cage for mixed martial arts. But the church's layout still posed an interesting challenge for Frank Ward, owner of Acoustical Design: to install an AV system that would optimize the experience of worshippers listening to sermons, the choir and to video presentations.
"The First Nazareth Baptist Church presented several unique challenges that we needed to overcome to serve the different uses of the sanctuary," says Ward. "We used EASE acoustical modeling from the start to make sure we would get good sound coverage the first time. We employed Aviom for monitoring and designed a directional subwoofer line array."
Within the octagonal building, there is a five-sided audience area that is approximately 30 percent larger than the three-sided sanctuary area. A thrust stage with pulpit comes out into the audience area. The audience side accommodates 2,500 people with a wrap-around balcony.
The isolated FOH mix room is in the back of the center section of the balcony and is acoustically isolated from the main area, much like a control room in a recording studio. This design also presented challenges for Ward for both FOH mixing and stage monitoring for the performers and clergy.
A Lot of Inputs
"Music is a primary component of the services at First Nazareth, and we needed a lot of inputs to accommodate all the different performance situations," relates Ward. "The church has a main sanctuary choir, a devotion team, an ensemble of about 12 people that stand down on the floor in front of the pulpit and a full band. They have soloists and employ a lot of musicians during the service, where various groups come out and perform in different locations. We needed to be able to get all those sound sources to the FOH console, create a house mix and provide adequate stage monitoring for the performers. In short, this was a very challenging installation."
Acoustical Design specified a 56×8 channel Soundcraft MH3 console for the FOH mixing chores driving a Renkus-Heinz speaker system with Bag End subwoofers. The Soundcraft handled as many as 48 microphone and instrument channels with the remainder taken by CD, VCR, DVD and computer audio. The main FOH speakers were three Renkus-Heinz ST4 full range speakers flown over the end of the thrust stage in a cluster to provide primary audience coverage. TRX 82 two-way speakers distributed around the room provided delay coverage for the balcony and under-balcony areas. Because the room had a 1.8 second reverb time, the speakers needed to be as close to the congregation as possible. ST2 compact three-way speakers handled front fill left and right with several pointing down into the choir loft for monitors. Left and right large format screens on either side of the choir loft provided clear video coverage for the entire audience. The subwoofers presented Acoustical Design with another challenge.
"We used 12-inch Bag End sealed cabinets for the subwoofers," continues Ward. "Traditionally, large subwoofer cabinets mounted on the floor on the left and right of the stage are used, but this arrangement would not work for the room. We decided to orient the speakers in a line array and recess them into the back wall of the sanctuary behind the choir. They are mounted on the right side of the left screen. In doing this, the bass was more directional and sounded more uniform throughout the room. Because they are off axis of the array, the bass is quieter in the choir loft than it would be with conventional subwoofers."
Because of the complex monitoring situations, Acoustical Design decided on an Aviom Pro16 system to handle the various configurations. Group channels and direct microphone channel outs from the Soundcraft went into an Aviom AN-16/i-M mic/line input module where the audio was digitized and sent to an Aviom A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor. This unit takes the output from the AN-16/i-M and distributes the 16-channel A-Net signal to eight outputs. As the A-Net signal is carried over Cat-5 cable, Ethernet connector boxes were wired around the sanctuary and performance area to give access to A-Net from any location.
Stored and Recalled Settings
The performers then accessed the 16-channel A-Net signal from eight Aviom A-16II personal mixers. These mixers give the performer the opportunity to create their own monitor mixes including channel volume, grouping, pan, stereo spread, and master volume and tone. The settings can be stored and recalled, obviating the need to re-create mixes every week.
"The A-16II personal mixers really help streamline monitoring for the performers," states Ward. "Each unit feeds multiple headphone, in-ear and standalone individual monitors. We use Tannoy i5 MP active monitors on mic stands for the keyboardist, pianist and organist. We also supplied six sets of Westone UM1 in-ear monitors and six AKG 240M headphones. Some of the band members bring in their own iPod ear buds. With Aviom, the church does not need the added complication of a separate monitor console and person to run the monitor mixes. Aviom also allows the church to be flexible with its performance groups and their performance locations to fit the needs of a special service."
Two Nexia SP digital signal processor units, each with four analog line inputs and eight independent analog mix outputs, were employed for main system processing where the line inputs feed a larger number of discrete outputs. The processor feeds all of the loudspeakers inside the sanctuary, the radio mix, recording mixes, as well as mixes to other overflow spaces. Internal 24-bit/48-K processing includes equalizers, filters, crossovers, dynamics/gain controls, routers and delays. The Crest CD 1000, 1500 and 2000 power amplifiers are used for amplification. The entire technical package is controlled by a Crestron CP2E Media Manager control system to make sure each device is routed to proper channels and the system can power up from any location.
"The design has been very successful for the church," says Ward. "The audio quality is crisp and clear and the music performances are rich in tone without becoming overbearingly loud. Everyone is happy with the results."
Audio Gear
Soundcraft 56 x 8 analog console
Renkus Heinz ST4 speakers for main
clusters (3)
TRX82 around the room for delay and
choir monitors
ST2 for front fill left and right
Aviom 16-channel mic input box, AN16i-M
Aviom Personal Monitor Mixers (8)
A16D-Pro Distributor
Bag End subs
Biamp Nexia processors
Crestron control system
