Ashly processing revives Ryokaku-ji Temples voice and music quality
Published: WORSHIP
JAPAN: Ryokaku-ji Temple, founded 500 years ago and located in Fukui Prefecture, 300 miles west of Tokyo, has installed audio processing and amplification technology by New York-based Ashly Audio.
When the temple moved to a new building 14 years ago, it installed a sound system for the 100-seat hall of worship but the results proved less than satisfactory. Tokyo-based pro audio sales and sound reinforcement integrator EMU/ENU was duly commissioned to improve the system, and company president Masaki Morimoto turned to an Ashly ne8250pe eight channel amplifier plus DSP, combined with an Ashly WR-5 remote control.
The new system consists of six loudspeakers and one subwoofer. A stereo pair of One Systems full-range boxes is located where the ceiling meets the wall above the main riser, and four Tannoy ceiling speakers distribute audio over the seating area. Morimoto also built a custom subwoofer, adapting the dual 5-inch enclosure to fit under the furniture in front of the statue of Buddha.
‘I wanted to deliver a reliable, long-lived system that would sound full and musical,’ comments Morimoto. ‘In addition, the system had to be compact and cost-effective. In my experience Ashly products represent a unique combination of performance, reliability and economy. I was confident that the 2RU space Ashly unit would result in the improvements that the owners were expecting.’
Inputs consist of four wireless microphones, two wired microphones, a CD player, and a DI’d electric organ. The microphones are used primarily for the sutra of a few priests and the spoken word of a sermon at weekends. The inputs feed a TOA 12-in/2-out analogue mixer, which in turn feeds the Ashly ne8250pe. With Ashly’s WR-5 wall-mounted remote, users can control the overall volume and select between speech and music modes to reconfigure relative levels and EQ. The integrated DSP of Ashly’s ne8250pe contains a list of processing modules available in any custom configuration via easy-to-use software.
‘The sound quality is now perfect for both speech and music reproduction,’ adds Morimoto. ‘The family that owns Ryokaku-ji Temple is very pleased. We’re now drawing up plans to revamp the sound system in their early-childhood education wing. Once again, Ashly Audio’s technology will form its core.’