Tracing its roots back to a log cabin in the 1840s, the original presence of the Roman Catholic Church at Indiana’s University of Notre Dame quickly outgrew its early premises and built the now-historic Basilica of the Sacred Heart in 1870. The Gothic Revival-style church is built in the traditional shape of a Latin cross, and has undertaken several renovations including its move into broadcast, with the first Mass being aired in 2016.

In the same year, cameras were upgraded to high-definition resolution with audio improvements to be addressed at a later time. With the upgraded cameras, Notre Dame Studios – the broadcast team that manages digital streaming for both Notre Dame University and the Basilica – relied on the original house audio, which was designed simply to feed the Basilica’s audio into the broadcast studio through a mixer within the Basilica itself.

Given the nature of the space and the materials used within the historic structure, reverberation time averages around 4s making audio clarity extremely poor. Because of this, its audio upgrade evolved into a major overhaul of the sound system.

In 2019, DSH Audio Visions was brought in as project design consultant to define and upgrade the sound system of the Basilica. The upgrade enabled Notre Dame Studios to stream services of varying sizes and ensured the experience in-person and virtually is enjoyable while delivering the message of fellowship clearly. The Bose Professional system that DSH Audio Visions specified allowed the Notre Dame Studios team to mix an appropriate audio experience for the broadcast versus what was live in the Basilica.

Bose MSA12X self-powered digital beam-steering array loudspeakers require no external amplifiers, and the combinations of single loudspeakers, double stacks and triple stacks were used to deliver the audio performance the Basilica was seeking, regardless of the zone being used within the space. The main nave employs a triple stack of the MSA12X loudspeakers; the transepts have single stacks aimed backward; there are double stacks aimed toward the back of the sanctuary; and the Lady Chapel uses single stacks. Given the complexity of the space and the variety of services held throughout the different locations within the Basilica, the sound system needs to serve different zones efficiently no matter where congregants sat.

Originally, the team was concerned about the pillars in the Basilica and the acoustic ‘shadows’ caused. It was vital the Basilica’s historic interior and atmosphere was preserved and not be marred by excessively visible audio equipment.

Through the use of the Bose Modeler Sound System software, DSH Audio Visions ensured the Bose Professional audio solution was a perfect, custom fit. Now, the Basilica offers both in-person attendees and virtual worshipers the same moving experience with audio and video.

Regardless of where congregants sit – even if it’s in the Lady Chapel – the choir sounds as though they are singing next to the individual although they are sometimes up to 200ft away.

Mass and other ceremonies now offer clear articulation and a consistent, impactful musical experience. No longer are the building’s shape, architecture or interior materials unsurmountable obstacles to achieving natural, highly intelligible audio.

More: www.dshaudiovisions.com