The system had to accommodate a wide variety of trained and untrained vocalists in a challenging acoustic environment, say CGA. Non-intrusive fixtures, cabling and racks were also a priority to preserve the ornate décor and ambience. Operated by non-technical personnel, simplicity was important and preferably automated as far as possible. CGA's Chris Gunton explains: "CGA Integration are specialists in this kind of sympathetic installation and take great care to ensure that the original building is not scared by the installation. These buildings have been standing unaltered for hundreds of years and we hope they will still be here in many hundreds more."
Six licensed UHF Sennheiser radio microphones provided high quality pickup, whilst discreet aerials, use of existing speaker cabinets and sympathetic cable runs avoided intrusion. Peavey automatic microphone mixing was specified to eliminate problems from variable vocal and moving radio mics. The system also boasts Behringer limiter, compressors and feed back eliminators that help control the sound. Additional inputs near the pulpit and organ, plus recording facilities were added to existing microphone sockets for flexibility.
(Lee Baldock)
