"Your Audio Visual Specialists"

AVN Proffessionals, LLC was contracted to do the FOH (Front of House) sound system renovations in the main sanctuary for the Chapel in Akron, Ohio. Technical requirements for worship services include the use of a full orchestra and chior, up to 14 solo singers at one time, a full contemporary band(including full drumset, bass guitar, electric and acoutic guitars, keyboards, pianos, percussion, etc) and lets no forget about the wireless systems for the preachers and pastors. Any one of up to 96 channels of audio needed to be available at any given time.

There were many challenges to consider when we looked at designing and integrating a new front of house sound system for The Chapel in Akron.

First was the time factor. Renovations could in no way interrupt Sunday services. This meant that renovations had to be completed within a 7 day period beginning after Sunday Service and completed and functional by the following Sunday. We even planned for a worse case scenario and scheduled a backup rental sound system that would be used if need be.

Second, the current FOH sound system had many problems with its patch bays and wiring, making it very hard to trouble shoot problems when they arose. Current mixing system had been pieced together over the last 30 years by various companies. In its current condition 4 separate and different mixing consoles(primarily Allen & Heath)are utilized and sub mixed together to accommodate over 96 channels that originate from the stage. All Microphone inputs from the stage end up at a punchdown split box where signals are split to accomadate both the FOH and recording systems. The recording system had the same problems with regards to it wiring and patchbays.

Third, there was no logical layout of the stage microphone inputs. As the system grew over the years and more inputs were added to the stage, these inputs were never organized. It was tedious at times to find the right input.

Next, the Chapel wished to incorporate a system that was flexible with regards to the various different productions that would be performed in the sanctuary. Currently, the system is set up to accomadate worship services every Sunday. This made it very dificult to accomadate other productions because system settings would change due to the production. Afterwards, the system had to be reset for worship services the following Sunday.

The Chapel also wished to have their personal monitoring system upgraded due to technical difficulties with their current Intellix System.

The Chapel has always had very high standards when it came to providing the best sound possible for its worship services. After many discussions with Technical Director, Rick Zuercher and then researching all the technical, logistical and budgetary considerations, AVN Pro came up with a plan that incorporates state of the art technology to help streamline the FOH system for ease of use.

Upon completion the new FOH mixing system will include the following equipment and materials;

96 ch. Mackie TT 24 Digital Live Mixing system,
96 channels of pre amps with digital outputs for recording.
Aviom Personal Monitoring system with 10 mixers.
Custom 136 channel microphone split integrated with existing snake system from stage

The scope of work performed included the following;

1) Oversee the removal of all old audio wiring and patch bays that terminate from the microphone split to the front of house position and recording studio.

2) Install and integrate new 136 channel split snake from the existing punch block. These snake trunks will split and feed 136 channels of audio signal to both the front of house system and the recording studio.

3) Integrate a new 32 ch input snake to accommodate existing wireless microphone system. This snake will be intergrated with the existing microphone split.

4) When integrating microphone split snakes, logically number inputs from stage right to stage left and front to back. This will help sound technicians to easily ascertain where the inputs are relative to the stage.

5) Confirmed and document continuity of all microphone and line level inputs.

6) Procure and install all equipment and materials for the completion of renovation.

7) Provide training and technical support for the staff.

After completion this sound system will enable the Chapel to perform worship services without the hassles and provide flexibility to accomadate any production that arises.