Pleasantville Church recently completed construction of its new sanctuary, a project that began more than 15 years ago. The newly built sanctuary is an exact replica of the original building, but constructed on a larger footprint.
The challenge of designing the optimal audio system for the space was met by designer/installer Tony Hersch of Audiobahn. The sanctuary's high vaulted ceilings and reflective surfaces presented a unique challenge in system design.
"Services at the church lean towards a traditional/blended style," Hersch explains. "Music worship is typically led by a vocal choir backed by an organist or piano and various other instrumentalists. Pleasantville needed a main loudspeaker system with coverage throughout the sanctuary that could perform not only for Sunday services but also at a concert level for special events when needed.
"In addition, there are three separate performance areas for choir, bell choir and center stage, and we needed a main and stage monitoring system that would provide coverage, impact and clarity while still remaining unobtrusive."
Hersch selected the iBOX line of high performance loudspeakers by Community Professional Loudspeakers.
The system comprises iBOX iHP1299 two-way loudspeakers in a left-centre-right configuration, augmented by a pair of i112S subwoofers on the stage. A distributed system of Community CLOUD6 and CLOUD12 in-ceiling loudspeakers covers the hallways and nursery, while the lobby is served by Community I/O5 surface mount loudspeakers. QSC amplifiers power the systems, with processing provided by an Ashly Audio 326 DSP.
An Allen and Heath GL2400-32 console is installed at front of house, along with Ashly Protea digital EQ, TC Electronic M1 effects processor, and eight Shure wireless microphone systems. Community's VERIS stage monitors are wall mounted in the choir areas.
"The new Community system is hands down the best system we've ever had, and we've gotten very positive feedback from musicians and congregation alike," says Gene Fox, the church's audio director. "We had one member of our congregation who had always used a hearing assistance system, and she came up to me after the first service with the new system and told me she no longer needed the hearing assistance."
(Jim Evans)
