"With a full AV and sound upgrade to carry out, we took the opportunity to put in all the cables at the same time," recalls Steve Ashley, "all the video cables, and runs of analogue and digital cables for the PA system, all under the floor." Ashley's quote covered both an analogue and a digital control option, but once the building refurb was underway, "it became clear that they would need to buy a new digital mixer."
SA Sound was already running a RSS M-400 in its hire stock, supplied by Paul Nicholson at Midas Sound Services, so was able to recommend its capabilities with some enthusiasm. "The processing power in this small console is very impressive, and the compact size of the desk is extremely persuasive when space is tight. The M-400 also offers valuable functionality such as the amount of stage monitor mixes - the Church is currently using six mixes and has the capacity for more - and the ability to record onto a laptop using the integrated SONAR package.
"The Church was particularly keen on the possibility of making recordings," continues Ashley. "If they really want to pursue this, it's easy to split 48 channels out to another M-400 in the AV room. We've used the RSS Digital Snake to carry signal through the building; the S-1608 16-input/8-output stage unit is sunk into the floor of the stage, so it's easy to patch in."
SA Sound Services has chosen L'Acoustics loudspeakers for this three-zone sound reinforcement system, primarily 8XT and 12XT models, with SB118 subs built into the stage. These are powered by LA4 amplifiers, and processed with an XTA 446. An eight-channel Trantec radio mic system is used by the pastors, singers and members of the church band.
"As an installer, one does have some concerns about how people will get the hang of a new digital audio console," concludes Ashley, "but the guys here, led by David Vassel, have got their heads round it really quickly. An added bonus is that they don't have to contend with any outboard processing, and we don't have to install a rack of compressors, gates and EQ because it is all on-board the M-400."
(Jim Evans)
