dbx PMC16 performs double-duty at First United Methodist Church
Published: WORSHIP
WORLD: The Aries Company was recently entrusted to design and specify a sound system based around a dbx PMC16 personal monitor controller for the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City, US. Like many older houses of worship, the 375-seat sanctuary had previously utilised a sound system that had been in use since the 1980s.
In addition to clear, intelligible audio throughout the sanctuary, the church needed an effective monitoring system for the members of the worship band.
Based on their analysis of the church’s architecture, The Aries Company led by technical operations manager Kelly Barrera specified two JBL CBT70J+70JE-1 column speakers for the sanctuary along with a PRX418S subwoofer and three AC25 compact loudspeakers under the balcony. Two JBL STX812M floor monitors reside in front of the stage, and four JBL Control 25CT in-ceiling speakers were installed in the lobby.
Crown CDi 4000, CDi 2000 and 180A amplifiers power the sanctuary’s loudspeakers. Front of house mixing is provided by a Soundcraft Si Performer digital live sound console. A BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-800 Signal Processor with Digital Audio Bus handles audio networking and processing for the system.
Mr Barrera was particularly impressed by the flexibility of the dbx PMC16. The praise band uses six of them for onstage monitoring – and in an unusual application, a seventh is employed as a recording mixer for the church’s video production.
‘The PMC16 has enhanced the band’s ability to hear themselves and really dial in their mixes to their personal preference,’ Mr Barrera noted. ‘The PMC16 is also being used as a controller for the passive stage monitors.’