A Sound Image with a Vue at UMC Vista
Published: WORSHIP
USA: Offering a vast music programme that comprises a chancel choir, praise band and hand bell choir, as well as a growing children’s music, the United Methodist Church of Vista (UMC Vista) recently made decision to upgrade the sound system within its sanctuary. Turning to local systems integrator, Sound Image, an audio solution was built utilising Vue Audiotechnik loudspeaker systems.
In addition to the musical arrangements, UMC Vista has served its local community in California since 1954 via spoken word, classic and contemporary worship services. When laid out with its traditional pews, the main sanctuary can accommodate up to 550 worshippers, all of whom are able to view one of two large drop-down video screens hung on either side of the altar. A couple of ceiling-mounted projectors light up the screens during services with various presentations, and it was these, as well as some chandelier fixtures, that Sound Image needed to work around when installing the new audio system, which is also mounted to the ceiling. Not only would the audio system block the projection from reaching the screen and the congregation’s line of sight to the screen, but if the system was mounted in the wrong place, the projectors and chandeliers could interfere with the sound.
‘UMC Vista has had a great experience working with the team from Sound Image,’ notes UMC Vista’s senior pastor Rev Dr Leigh Ann Shaw. ‘They assessed our church needs and challenges quickly. All concerns during the process were addressed with sensitivity and professionalism.’
It would be Vue Audiotechnik’s i-Class series of integrator systems that would provide Sound Image with a solution. The systems integrator and installation company hung four i-8 foreground loudspeaker systems along with a couple of i-2x4.5 surface-mount foreground systems between the chandelier fixtures on the ceiling, aimed towards the congregation’s seating area below. This setup reportedly provides consistent coverage for the entire congregation without any undesirable sonic reflections from the fixtures, due to sound not spilling away from the seating area.
UMC Vista has also been equipped with four Vue is-26 surface-mount subwoofers, lowering the system response to 48Hz, while an additional three i-2x4.5 systems serve as monitors on the platform and for the choirs. An Allen & Heath mixing console, Shure wireless microphone systems, Symetrix signal processing and QSC power amplifiers have also been deployed. Sound Image also fitted Acoustical Material Distributors’ (AMD) Barrel Sound Diffusor panels in a bid to further improve the sanctuary’s acoustics and intelligibility.
‘The project was done on time and to the satisfaction of our board of trustees and our congregation. Several members said they’ve never been able to hear in the sanctuary until now,’ furthers Rev Dr Shaw. ‘Sound Image has exceeded our expectations with installation and training members of the church sound team on how to use the equipment. We had worked with other sound engineers over the last decade, but our church has never sounded better. UMC Vista is grateful for the expertise and professionalism of Sound Image and Vue Audiotechnik.’