It was made clear that they didn't want a conventional house of worship system of 100V line column speakers and radio links. Hosting frequent band sessions and focusing on contemporary evangelical music for in-church entertainment, they wanted a more live music/rock and roll style sound, with 'stage' monitors and infills to ensure those sitting at the sides would also get a good sound. This off-beat nuance of the project appealed to CP's Colin Pattenden, "It's great working with people who are prepared to be experimental to achieve the best result" he comments.
The aesthetic requirement was for speaker enclosures that blended into the existing architecture and ambience. Pattenden chose white JBL Control 29 speakers to get the coverage, rigged unobtrusively to the inside of the arches running down the nave. The FOH mixer is an Allen & Heath 16/2 16-channel - allowing plenty of headroom - located in a custom-constructed oak surround to match the pews - at the entry door end of the nave. The monitors are CP Sound's own wedges.
The company also supplied and installed a small 8-channel Soundcraft Spirit E6 as a 'clergy' mixer that feeds into two RSE amplifiers, located to the side of the pulpit. The RSE's were specially modified to eliminate fan noise during the sermon and are housed in a white painted MDF enclosure at the side of the altar by the organ. This box also provides power for the band's backline.
A 16-channel multicore was run between the FOH console and the altar via the house heating grilles. The audio sends from the clergy and FOH mixers are separated to prevent cross-interference between certain sounds. CP Sound supplied six new mics and stands, and replaced the old analogue radio mic system, which had been picking up the soundtrack and vocals from the Body Pump Class at the fitness club down the road. This was replaced by a new AKG UHF system, including a set of lavalier mics.
David Oliver comments: "The new system has brought the church audio into the 21st century, which was exactly our intention. We've had nothing but positive feedback from the congregation and all those actively using the equipment."
(Lee Baldock)
