One of the oldest congregations in the US, the Royal Oak Presbyterian is another church that is adapting its services to meet modern needs: ‘We’re trying to merge our traditional services with new expressions of worship that are meaningful for the intergenerational nature of our congregation, Pastor Alan Gray confirms.
Established in 1776, the history and the traditions associated with the church are an integral part of its worship, but modern worship and technology are equally welcome. Designing a sound system for the highly reverberant, 450-capacity sanctuary – without detracting from the aesthetics treasured by its congregation – fell to audio designer/installer KD Forsha, who specified Tannoy’s new VLS passive column speaker arrays and Tannoy VS 10BP subs,
Built in 1923, the acoustic challenges presented by the santuary were substantial. But, even with the 30-foot high peaked ceilings, plaster walls and a large amount of beautiful but reflective, custom woodwork, Forsha believed the VLS passive column arrays, which feature transducer technology and Focussed Asymmetrical Shaping Technology (FAST), would meet Royal Oak’s needs and budget.
The result is an audio system with a low-profile, highly intelligible solution for the reinforcement of speech and a wide variety of live musical ensembles – from full electric praise bands and vocal groups to string ensembles.
Forsha used four Tannoy VLS 15s – two to cover the balcony and two to cover the main floor – and mounted a pair of VS 10BP subwoofers discreetly on steps leading up to the pulpit for LF support throughout. ‘The VS 10BPs can sit sideways or long-ways, so I could mount them where they wouldn’t be in anybody’s way visually or physically,’ he says.
The compact profile of the VLS 15s and their ability to offer focused coverage in each of the upper and lower sanctuary zones also informed his choice: ‘Like the VS 10s, they can fit in a lot of places and they completely blend in with the wood-stained posts they’re mounted on. Also, the FOH position is in the balcony, so it was important the two zones equaled out, but I was able to use the free, Ease Focus software Tannoy had on their website, which is very sophisticated, to help determine ideal locations for the VLS 15s.’
The combination of the VLS 15s and VS 10BPs provide benefits for both listeners and those who are most often behind the microphones, which was key: ‘The only acoustic treatment they have is what I call “standard, southern church acoustic treatment” – people,’ Forsha says. ‘Plus, the system needed very little EQ and I don’t have any issues with open mics. The preacher can actually walk right by them with his headset microphone on and we just don’t have a problem.’
Based in Bristol, Tennessee, and founded in 2006, KD Audio is a sole proprietorship that specialises in home theatre and house of worship installations.
‘I’ve used Tannoy many times, in all kinds of commercial venues, and I’ve been impressed with every speaker, every time,’ Forsha closes.
More: www.tannoypro.com
