L-Acoustics for Jesus House
Published: WORSHIP
UK: Reading-based integrator SFL Group has carried out the first UK install of the L-Acoustics KARAi modular WST line source system, for permanent installation at Jesus House, a 2,000-capacity church in North London owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
SFL Group chose the system because, according to technical director Mark Payne, ‘it presents a significant saving for the customer as the boxes don’t have fixed touring rigging, which isn’t necessary in a fixed installation. As an installation product it looks really neat. I’m very pleased with it and so is the customer. It sounds absolutely phenomenal.
‘Being a bi-amped product, KARAi works really well for this installation because it has loads of high frequency headroom, so even when the box is pushed hard it maintains a high degree of clarity. Jesus House is within the contemporary worship/gospel tradition, so their music is effectively high energy and they need a concert-orientated system that keeps up with what they want to achieve in terms of sound pressure levels.’
The building – a warehouse conversion – has an audience area of 25m wide by 60m deep, covered by a right/left system of six KARAis per side powered by two LA8 amplified controllers, one for each hang. Four SB18is subwoofers per side are built into the stage, not to obscure the congregation perspective. Two 12XTi coaxials act as front fill for the KARAi system, and three further 12XTis are flown at the back of the venue to cover a small balcony.
‘It’s a very efficient system,’ said Mr Payne. ‘It has a huge amount of bass and high frequency headroom for the client’s current requirements, but they’re a fast growing organisation and see themselves in this venue for five years maximum, so we needed a product that could be scaled up when necessary. KARAi is also at the beginning of its lifespan, so its longevity was really important in the decision-making process.’
‘After a visit to L-Acoustics in Marcoussis, Jesus House was delighted to buy into the impressive history and culture of L-Acoustics excellence,’ added Ayo Olunloyo, head of media at Jesus House. ‘As a church organisation that believes strongly in building good relationships, we instantly recognised and identified with L-Acoustics’ desire to contribute positively to our operations. This was a trait that had also been exhibited by SFL many a time. It was therefore a reasonably straightforward decision to go with the KARAi solution for our new auditorium. The system is so fantastic that one just wonders how far it can go before it runs out of headroom. The response from the congregation has been more than positive.’