All churches share the common goal of spreading the message. Some have a greater emphasis on spoken word; others rely more on music in any variety of styles, from liturgical to flat-out rock ‘n’ roll. Yet, all houses of worship need a sound system that provides clarity, intelligibility and musicality. With that in mind, we looked at some recent install/upgrade projects.
Westover Hills Church, San Antonio, TX
Founded in 1986, San Antonio’s Westover Hills Church has become one of the area’s largest congregations on its ever-growing campus. The church’s 2,200-seat Worship Center opened in 2014, and after a decade of use, its sound system showed its age. “We had some system failures, some amps blowing out, and it became clear it was time for an update, says Westover Hills’ technical director Carlos Peña.
The church reached out to 5 Words Media, the Phoenix-based group specializing in worship system design and installations. Working with Michael Palmer, DAS Audio’s VP of sales and business development and DAS Audio’s Application Engineering crew, the team designed a full audio makeover featuring DAS Audio’s new ARA Series of powered compact line arrays.
The system is comprised of four hangs of four SARA-100 line array boxes, with three hangs of SARA-SUB 18-inch compact powered cardioid subs. Four additional LARA-SUB 3×18-inch powered cardioid subs are positioned in purpose-built bunkers beneath the stage for additional LF reinforcement.
Peña notes the room has some audio challenges. “It’s a very wide but very shallow, with a wraparound balcony, and a traditional line array would create unacceptable line-of-sight issues with our video systems. The SARA system’s compact footprint allowed us to still go with a line array system that covered every seat in the auditorium while still giving us great sound.”
Because of the room’s second story balcony, the team opted to add upper balcony fills, with nine of DAS Audio’s new ARA P28.74 symmetrical point source enclosures marking the first U.S. installation of these powerhouse dual-8” active systems. “The P28.74 uses the same high frequency driver as the ARA series, for a seamless transition to the upper balcony areas,” Palmer notes.
Ten ARTEC-506A active 6.5” two-way enclosures beneath the stage lip provide front fill, and coverage to two outer areas of the auditorium. External processing is handled by DAS Audio’s Integral-M88 Dante-enabled DSP, with entire system remotely controlled and monitored via DAS’ ALMA ecosystem software.
“I like being able to manage everything from anywhere in the building,” Peña observes. “DAS Audio gave me that ability with its networking capabilities.”
Palmer and Peña give high marks to the 5 Words Media team for their work. “From the planning to the installation to commissioning the system, the 5 Words Media team have been a pleasure to work with.”
Response to the new systems from staff and congregation alike have been enthusiastic. “The SARA system gives us clear, crisp highs, full midrange, and robust low-end with power to spare in a small footprint. We absolutely love this new system,” says Peña.
Westover Hills Church
- Capacity: 2,200
- Key Products: DAS Audio SARA Line Array
- Integrator/Designer: 5 Words Media
Sun Valley Community Church, Gilbert, AZ
Serving over 18,000 congregants across seven campuses and a thriving streaming channel, Sun Valley Community Church (SVCC) has long been at the forefront of using cutting-edge technology to enrich its services.
When the Gilbert, AZ-based church wanted to provide a more immersive worship experience and support expanded programming with state-of-the-art sound, it turned to Meyer Sound’s Panther large-format linear line array loudspeakers and 2100-LFC low-frequency control elements.
SVCC’s 1,200-seat main campus previously housed a Meyer Sound Leopard system. “We fell in love with the quality and the reliability and just how pure the sound of Leopard was,” says SVCC’s production and integration lead director Matt Kotthoff, adding that the church relocated the Leopard system to its South Gilbert campus to make way for the Panther upgrade at the broadcast campus.
“SVCC was ready for something special, a state-of-the-art system that would support expanded programming,” adds Chris Gille, creative solutions engineer at Kentucky-based integrator HouseRight, which supplied and installed the system. “One of the things I talked about with them was getting into a modern technology that was fresh, proven reliable, and available,” says Gille. “Out of the entire industry, the answer was Panther.”
Kotthoff experienced Panther and 2100-LFC in action at an Ed Sheeran concert, where he was convinced of the system’s capabilities. “Listening to the varying dynamics in a stadium, we decided, ‘Let’s create a mini version of this.’ We aimed to provide a capability that no other medium-to-large-sized room offers,” he says.
SVCC’s new system is centered around two hangs of seven Panther speakers, supported by ten 2100-LFC low frequency control elements, six hung and four on the ground. “The suspended 2100-LFCs let us deliver a controlled low-end that projects over the congregation, creating an immersive, clean bass-heavy experience with LF definition everyone can feel and hear,” Kotthoff explains.
HouseRight and Meyer’s engineering team used Meyer Sound’s MAPP 3D™ system design and prediction tool to model cohesive coverage. “While designing in MAPP 3D, front-to-back frequency, smoothness, and low-mid beam control seemed a bit too good to be true, with only seven primary elements per stack, with AVB affording 1:1 drive resolution,” Gille says. “However, the reality was as predicted, and frequency banding fell tightly in line. With girthy power and headroom, smooth accuracy and dynamic range, paired with the tight and boldly musical 2100-LFC, Panther is a great fit. The 2100-LFC is a game changer.”
Gille adds that mixing on the new system “was one of the best-sounding experiences I’ve ever had.” Observers note that SVCC’s new sonic environment extends from the front row to the balcony. Speech is delivered with clarity, music is dynamic and enveloping, and — even with 1,200 people in the room — each congregant feels like the pastor is speaking directly to them.
“Wherever you sit, you get stereo imaging with the musical dynamics Panther provides,” concludes Kotthoff. “It creates an immersive experience from front to back, left to right, transforming the worship culture entirely.”
Sun Valley Community Church
- Capacity: 1,200
- Key Products: Meyer Sound Panther Line Array
- Integrator/Designer: HouseRight
Church Unlimited, Corpus Christi, TX
Conyers, GA-based integration firm MessengerAVL designed and installed a new audio system for the 1,500-seat sanctuary at Church Unlimited’s Corpus Christi, TX campus, which serves as the broadcast center for the non-denominational, evangelical and multi-site church.
As part of the project, MessengerAVL provided a DiGiCo Quantum 338 FOH console, a Quantum225 desk to handle broadcast mixing and a KLANG:konductor immersive in-ear monitor mixing system.
MessengerAVL system engineer Parker Gann says the decision to add KLANG to the monitoring package for monitors was an easy one, as the top-of-the-line mixing system delivers 16 immersive mixes and processes 128 input signals at up to 96 kHz with an internal processing latency less than 0.25 ms.
“I had not actually planned on using the DiGiCo integration with the KLANG system when I designed this project — the KLANG:konductor was originally meant to be standalone. But when I started playing with the integration between it and the Quantum338, I realized that it’s a great way to keep things like the channel and aux names synced up, and we could use aux mix presets on the console to recall musician settings,” he says. “I’ve always loved doing monitors on DiGiCo because of things like mix presets, so combining that with what the KLANG:konductor could do with the immersive IEM mixes was super-cool.”
In fact, Gann adds, the decision to implement KLANG meant that they could forgo adding a new monitor console, creating a substantial cost-savings for the church. But the immersive aspect really put the ball through the goal posts. “I tried hard to convince them it’s life-changing, and they just didn’t believe me — until they heard it,” he laughs. “They put headphones on and I made them a binaural mix, then A/B-ed them. “I said, ‘Here’s the mix without KLANG,’ and then when I went to surround, they could not believe how good it sounded.” Based on the success of that demonstration, MessengerAVL added eight additional transmitters to the package, allowing every musician and vocalist onstage to experience immersive monitoring.
“Coming from a dedicated monitor mixing console, the addition of the KLANG:konductor has been amazing,” says Walter Wilson, Church Unlimited’s lead production director. “The first thing we all noticed was the clarity of the KLANG, and the seamless integration with the DiGiCo console creates an entire ecosystem that’s flexible and intuitive to use, which is very important when you have volunteers running the systems. It’s a huge win for all of us.”
The shift to DiGiCo has been its own new chapter in the church’s sound narrative, Wilson notes. “We’re coming from having used multiple consoles in the past, and what we find with the Quantum consoles is that no matter what you want to do, there seems like there are always multiple ways to get there and features like plug-in integration and the tactile feedback the worksurfaces give you is just amazing. It really feels like the console comes to life. The whole ecosystem of KLANG and DiGiCo is just perfect for us.”
Church Unlimited
- Capacity: 1,500+
- Key Products: DiGiCo Quantum 338; KLANG:konductor
- Integrator/Designer: MessengerAVL
Rose Hill Church, Baton Rouge, LA
To accommodate its growing congregation, Rose Hill Church in Baton Rouge, LA recently relocated to a spacious 46,000 square foot facility. After extensive renovations, the new sanctuary features 50-foot vaulted ceilings and can seat up to 1,000 guests, a significant increase from its previous 200-person capacity.
This dramatic expansion called for a powerful audio solution to fill the space while maintaining high-quality sound for large services with the need for spoken word intelligibility and live music sound reinforcement.
The installation took place over three months and was spearheaded by RC1 Productions owner Rick Camp, a veteran FOH and recording engineer known for his work with artists such as Madonna; Earth, Wind & Fire; Beyoncé; The Temptations; Dr. Dre and many more. RC1 Productions and the team from K-array USA handled the new system’s design and installation. And now that the project is finished, Rose Hill Church can claim bragging rights for being the first church in the U.S. to install K-array’s Mugello KH3P I Concert System.
“K-array’s KH3 double-12” Mugello line arrays were perfect for this space,” says Camp. “With their slim profile and electronic beam steering capabilities, we were able to rig the speakers to a 20-foot custom wooden beam and still maintain clear, even coverage throughout the entire sanctuary.”
Camp tuned the system and provided ample training for technical director Eric Johnson and pastor Danny Donaldson. The sanctuary’s electrical system also underwent a complete overhaul to meet current safety standards and power the high-performance K-array system.
The Mugello concert series was chosen for its combination of high power density, intelligibility and performance control. Designed for easy installation, the new system includes eight KH3P I line array speakers and six KS5 I Thunder subwoofers powered by two KA208 Kommander amplifiers. Six K-array Kayman KY52 speakers installed on the lip of the stage provide front fill.
In addition to K-array, Rose Hill Church also partnered with Shure as an endorsed user of the latest ULXD wireless microphone technology. The system has 15 wireless vocal mics, including a dedicated headset and handheld mic for the pastor, as well as 15 channels of wireless for the choir and other vocalists. Equipping the new sanctuary with modern AV technology was another priority, and the AV upgrade included a massive 40-foot upstage video screen along with two 10×6-foot side screens. Advanced moving lights further enhance the visual experience.
On the mixing side, two 32-channel Solid State Logic L200 digital consoles provide versatile audio control for monitors and FOH mixing, while three SSL 32-channel Dante stageboxes and two SSL Blacklight 256-channel Dante expanders offer ample routing flexibility.
“We really wanted to invest in the best audio and visual tools to take our services to the next level,” says Pastor Donaldson. “The combination of the K-array Mugello KH3P I system, the video walls, and the Shure wireless mics have transformed the way our congregation experiences worship.”
Rose Hill Church
- Capacity: 1,000
- Key Products: K-array Mugello KH3P I; SSL L200 consoles
- Integrator/Designer: RC1 Productions / K-array
Salem Heights Church, Salem, OR
Based in Salem, OR, Salem Heights is a gospel-centered church with music at the heart of the celebration. Recently, the church completed the first step in its multi-phase, 20,000-square-foot, two-story sanctuary expansion project.
Church sound integration specialists Alpha Sound (alphasound.tech) designed and installed a new NEXO GEO M6 line array rig for the renovated facility’s new 650-seat auditorium.
Available in 80- or 100-degree horizontal dispersion versions, the GEO M6 is a compact system based on a long-excursion high-efficiency 6.5″ LF driver and a 1″ throat driver on a BEA/FEA optimized HR Wavesource.
“GEO M6 proved to be the perfect solution,” says Alpha Sound’s lead engineer Devin Sheets, noting that the new system needed to perform with the punch and SPL required for a live band, alongside the clear and natural sound that the pastor had come to value.
“They didn’t want a ‘rock P.A.’ sound, although the power of the GEO M6 astonishes everyone who hears it,” Sheets says. “What’s more, the compact size of the M6 enabled us to have a lot of boxes — nine each in four hangs flown high across what is quite a wide space — with the angles necessary to achieve excellent coverage from the front right up to the top of the balcony.”
Amplification and processing come from NEXO’s NXAMP4X1Mk2 4-channel powered TD Controllers, with LF extension from three NEXO RS18 dual-18” long excursion subs flown in a cardioid configuration and a single, central NEXO P8 providing downfill coverage right at the front.
“The church auditioned a lot of systems,” Sheets notes, yet “it was no surprise to me that the NEXO GEO M6 came out a clear winner. It’s an incredible speaker.”
Salem Heights Church
- Capacity: 650
- Key Products: NEXO GEO M6
- Integrator/Designer: Alpha Sound
