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Churches can be amongst the most challenging environments in which to properly set up a professional sound system. Given that the architectural variance between houses of worship is so great, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to deciding which equipment you will need and how it should be placed. To top it all off, some churches may require a versatile sound system that allows them to accommodate a variety of different speakers, performers and musical styles - anything from choirs, to soloists to full bands. It can be a real headache if you don't know some of the ground rules to help you through the process.

One of the major issues to be found when it comes to church audio systems are unwanted echoes, reverberations and amplifications of certain frequencies caused by the large, open design of the main worship area itself. Many churches boast high ceilings with angular walls, and most of the time, these rooms are rectangular in shape. Rectangular or square, 'boxy' rooms have a troublesome habit of creating what are called 'standing waves' of sound. The waves are caused by low-frequency sound bouncing from wall to wall around a room. Standing waves can radically change the way that sound is perceived, depending on the position of the listener. Church attendees in the front row may have trouble hearing certain parts of a sermon or musical piece but others scattered throughout the room may actually be assaulted by amplified low-end frequencies which drown out the whole of the sound itself.

There are a few possible solutions to this problem. The first is to install what are called bass traps. Bass traps are boxes made of wood and filled with fiberglass that act to absorb low frequency sound before it can be reflected. They accomplish this by vibrating when hit with a sound wave - unlike stiff walls, which reflect instead of vibrate. Properly placed bass traps around a church hall can be an excellent method for ensuring that the both music and speech are able to be heard with clarity by all attendees.

Alternatively, room equalization (EQ) can be employed instead of bass traps. EQ is the art of managing the balance of frequencies leaving a sound system so that they match the acoustic properties of the space where the system is placed. Equalization can be performed manually, or it can be done automatically by the device itself. When it comes to manually equalizing a church hall for a specific type of sound, sound engineers can actually enter in the size parameters of the space in front of them, as well as the approximate number of people who will be occupying that space. Even the materials that the church has been constructed out of can be taken into consideration. Once this has been entered, algorithms within the device itself can automatically adjust the sound coming out of the loudspeakers so that it is clear and bright, no matter where people are listening from. More advanced equalizers actually use microphones placed throughout a church and 'listen' to the sound that is being recorded. They then use a spectrum analysis which examines the frequency distribution in the room and automatically adjust the EQ to compensate for any trouble spots.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Khary_Reynolds


What is CSI ?

CSI is an independently owned and Christian operated company specializing in the design, installation, improvement and repair of professional audio systems for houses of worship, live sound venues of all types and high-end residential sound systems. In addition, we can repair and configure your current audio equipment to resolve compatibility or installation problems you may be experiencing.

A Letter from Our President

Hello. My name is Paul L. Garner and I am president and owner of CSI: Christian Sound Installations. I would like to thank you for allowing me to introduce both myself and my company. 

Personally, my experience spans over thirty five years in the music industry. I started out playing at the age of twelve and played professionally with local and touring acts for many years. Over the years, I found that I truly enjoyed mixing and producing. So at the midpoint in my professional music career, I left the stage for front-of-house productions (FOH). With my own touring sound company, I have worked with many renowned artists and groups including Sam & Dave, Rare Earth, Smokey Robinson, Spyro Gyra and many more. 

After years of being “in and out” of churches trying to find myself, I truly found Christ in my thirties. I left the nightlife and everything about it for a new career in the construction industry. I started out in the electrical trade working my way through apprenticeship and towards a three year journeyman program to become a master electrician. I started my own electrical firm in Tampa where I provided electrical construction and services throughout the community. In the 1990’s I merged with two former business associates and formed one of the Tampa Bay area’s largest electrical companies. While working in this industry, I began volunteering at local churches providing sound engineering/mixing for Sunday’s Worship. 

Seven years later, I expanded my knowledge in the construction industry and became a division manager for a Tampa based general contractor. After one year, I decided to take that knowledge and combine it with a “Service Attitude” and form a new company within the construction industry that would put “Service” first. With that commitment in mind, Millennium One was born. After years of providing construction services to the southeastern states, which I am still involved in, I’m now also a part of FishHawk Fellowship Church’s Worship Praise Team. 

With the “Service” commitment still planted firmly in my life, I opened CSI as a way to help other Houses of Worship with their audio and video needs. The purpose of CSI is to provide the best audio design, video design and engineering solutions available while remembering that it’s all for the glory of God. While many churches purchase systems from the internet or “supermarket” type stores, they quickly discover that the money they thought they saved is far surpassed by the additional items needed to make the system work in their situation and/or un-planned technical help required for the proper installation. And many times they find out that they simply purchased the wrong equipment for their needs. 

At CSI, we like to start our relationship with you with a personal meeting. At this meeting, we will help guide you through the critical step of establishing a proper pro forma to thoroughly and accurately assess your needs. Once your needs are established, we will discuss some of the possible limiting and contributory factors such as budget, physical building constraints, future expansion, etc. We will then make suggestions that will be as truthful and honest as can be to provide you with a system that will provide years of trouble free service. We have on-staff drafting/engineering capabilities along with leasing and financing options to provide truly complete packages. 

I sincerely hope that you will give us the opportunity to provide you and your organization with our “Service above Self” dedication. We will always strive to provide outstanding service, products and design at the best possible price. 

Sincerely, 

Paul L. Garner

President