LONDON – Westminster Abbey, which hosts the Royal Wedding later this month, recently commissioned the installation of new speech reinforcement, induction loop and CCTV systems, along with ancillary video, audio and data distribution facilities. The project included the installation of Martin Audio OmniLine micro-line array loudspeakers.
The new systems were designed and specified by Michael Hyland & Associates. The project needed to be completed ahead of the 450th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth granting a Royal Charter to The Abbey in 1560.
The upgrade and changeover needed to be implemented around the building’s daily services and other functions, including tour groups. To meet the tight timescale, extensive workshop testing of the system racks was carried out in advance to keep on-site testing requirements to a minimum.
The space has been divided into 47 separate loudspeaker zones. In one of these — the area between The Nave and The Quire —minimally-intrusive Martin Audio OmniLine micro-line array loudspeakers were chosen.
Since the screen separating The Nave from The Quire acts as a form of acoustic barrier, it can be difficult for those seated in the Nave to hear the sound of the choir, especially when the organ is being played. The OmniLines helped solve that problem.
The arrays are mounted at Organ Loft level—at each end of the Quire Screen balustrade. Each hang consists of eight modules—all spray-painted in a custom color so that they visually blend into the pillars on which they are mounted.
The suspended microphones above the Quire Stalls provide the input signal to the OmniLines, with the system controlled by the organist.
Modular and scalable, Martin Audio’s system was designed for architectural use, with software that helps the arrays deliver sound over any vertical angle to fit the venue profile without spilling onto surfaces where sound is not required. It is suitable for high-quality music reproduction as well as speech in large reverberant spaces, such as churches.
The overall routing design for Westminster Abbey is based on a number of DSP units located in a number of racks, strategically positioned in different areas of the building. This was determined by the need to localize the extent of cabling wherever possible, thereby avoiding long runs between areas where routes did not exist and would be difficult to create. The DSPs are linked via the fiber network using HP ProCurve 2510/24 switches.
The core of the system consists of two powerful processors in the user rack connected locally to mic input modules and line outputs. The audio connections to the remote equipment racks are via CobraNet digital audio channels.
There are 32 cabled microphone circuits located in key areas, and a separate page on the touch-screen shows the microphone positions in a mimic of the building. In addition, there are six lapel radio mics along with two stand‑mounted/hand‑held units.
A paging microphone at the user rack enables live announcements to be made throughout the building, and the system also includes a number of pre‑recorded announcements, which take account of various emergency situations. Once the announcement is selected, it is automatically fed to all loudspeaker zones.
All seated areas of the building have induction loop coverage, while CCTV coverage has been included with the use of pan/tilt/zoom color cameras. For major events, hired video monitors are temporarily installed to provide those in the side aisles and other areas with a better view of proceedings (these monitors are also used for events which are televised).
Finally, coverage has been provided for ancillary areas such as the Ringing Chamber, the Cloister, and St Margaret’s Church. Since the systems were commissioned, they have been in use for the regular services, concerts, drama performances, lectures and TV broadcasts.
The entire project was under the supervision of The Abbey’s Clerk of the Works.
For more information, please visit www.martin-audio.com.
