Living Word gets Renkus-Heinz treatment
Published: WORSHIP
WORLD: The Living Word Fellowship church in Aldergrove recently underwent a much-needed expansion and renovation that included new acoustical treatment, audio and video systems – designed and installed by Pro Sound and Stage Lighting Ltd. The 550-seat sanctuary was built in 1982, but its equipment dated back to the 1970s, prompting the update.
‘It's a relatively wide room, and not very deep,’ said Pro Sound's John Drake. ‘For the congregation, it's great, because no matter where you sit you feel close to the platform. But it definitely presented some issues in terms of coverage. The system design would have been a whole lot easier if the ceiling had been about 4.5m higher,’ he said.
‘As it is, the sound tends to get a bit dense in the centre, so we needed speakers that gave us an exceptional degree of pattern control.’
Using EASE, Pro Sound modelled the sanctuary, including the acoustical treatment on the walls and balcony to a new audio system based around a main left-right-centre cluster of three Renkus-Heinz PN121/6 two-way loudspeakers. A pair of PN61R 6-inch boxes provides additional over-balcony fill. Five CFX42 dual two-way stair-step loudspeakers provide additional front fill coverage for the lower seating nearest the stage.
‘Rather than use side fills, we opted to aim the centre cluster a bit higher to cover the balcony, which it does very well, and we added the speakers in the stairs for front fill,’ said Mr Drake. ‘Each of the stair step speakers are separately delayed. The imaging is exceptionally good no matter where you're sitting.’
Two PN212SR subwoofers were mounted above the platform for low frequency support. A Midas Pro2 digital console covers FOH duties, while a Biamp Audia handles system drive and processing. On the platform, four PN121M floor monitors provide sound for the ministers and musicians.
‘The Renkus-Heinz speakers were really the best choice in terms of coverage and performance,’ enthused Mr Drake. ‘They were a great fit for the room, and for the church's program needs.’