The Tech View

Trinity of Fairview on finding the right mix

The church’s lead sound engineer, Jeff Gerhart, and Bruce Jensen of B&R Audio recall how Trinity of Fairview’s current sound setup came about

ESTABLISHED 63 YEARS AGO IN Fairview, North Carolina, Trinity of Fairview Baptist Church has called its current sanctuary home since 1996. Last year, the church underwent a refurbishment of its stage area, seating and sound system. The need for better audio reinforcement was something the church had sought for a long time due to the sanctuary’s challenging acoustics, trialling several PA systems throughout the past decade. Jeff Gerhart has served as the lead sound tech at Trinity for more than 20 years, while Bruce Jensen is an AVL industry veteran of 32 years, who established B&R Audio in 2003, and was hired to design and install the new sound setup at Trinity of Fairview. The design included three Fulcrum Acoustics FH1596 speakers, flown from the beams in a wide, mono L-C-R cluster, and a CX1295 coaxial speaker used as a choir monitor.

Audio problems

Jeff: The room is octagon in shape. It has been very difficult to get the sound we wanted. Many people have tried to fix the problems we have encountered. The addition of the acoustic panels in the room, and especially the ones in the front of the room, has helped greatly.

Bruce: Trinity originally had a very inexpensive loudspeaker system hung in the peak of the building and was using non-rated hardware, which was also inappropriately applied. The next step was to go through three different sets of ‘speakers on sticks’. This was better, quickly installed and cost-effective, but provided very poor coverage and was painful for those seated in the front of the room.

Blending in

Bruce: It’s difficult to hide the technical gear with a tongue-and-groove ceiling and exposed Lamibeam supports. A compromise between function and aesthetics had to be made. The desperately needed acoustical panels helped both with the acoustics and making a more visually appealing background.

Jeff: Where aesthetics is important, functionality is more important right now. The stage was designed so that everything is mobile. It is also a work in progress; our stage setup continues to change. Once everything is in place, more will be done to disguise things.

The new sound system

Bruce: Other than the Fulcrum Acoustics speakers, the church has an Allen & Heath SQ-6 digital mixer with one AR2412 main audio rack and two AB168 stage audio racks, as well as ME-1 personal monitor mixers and Powersoft Quattrocanali 4804 DSP amps that provide power. There is also a Williams Sound FM wireless assistive listening system, an ETA SEQ6 AC sequence controller, S20RT power distribution and AC suppressor, and an ETA-15SH power sequencer. A SurgeX SX-20NE-RT branch-circuit surge eliminator and Ace Backstage custom floor boxes have been installed too.

L-R: Jeff Gerhart and Bruce Jensen with Pastor Stacey Harris

Video and lighting

Jeff: Before our remodel, our video consisted of a projector and a dropdown screen.

Bruce: Trinity of Fairview is now equipped with two Optoma ZU660 laser projectors and two Draper Onyx framed screens with TecVision material. For lighting, an ETC SmartFade ML lighting console manages elektraLite Dazer WW stage washes, ETC Source Four ellipsoidals, various LED PARs and wall washes.

Jeff: The addition of the two screens and a pair of Optoma projectors has been great. Now, everyone in the room can see what is being projected.

Finding the right solution

Bruce: Hire a professional consultant or design/installer that you can trust. Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap. Save your money and get the right system the first time. It’s much cheaper in the long run.

Jeff: I agree with Bruce. Consult with a professional. Make sure that person is willing to work with your staff and create a sound that will work with your building, style and budget. Purchase higher-end products that will last. This has been an evolution over several years, beginning with donated items to the higher-end equipment that we use today. The sound in the room is now more balanced for all.