Sound and Acoustics
Sound
You already
have sound! But is it good sound? Houses of Worship sound systems should not
necessarily make sound louder, but should provide equal, intelligible sound for
all. We strive to design systems that allow everyone to share the same worship
experience. Volume can be a desired component but should be a controllable, not
necessary one.
You system
should:
• Be as technically invisible as possible,
both aesthetically and aurally. It should not interfere with sight lines or be
distracting to the
worshippers. During moments of silence, that is what you should hear! No hiss,
pops, buzzes or other annoying sound.
• Allow every person to share the same
worship experience from every seat.
• Be properly tuned to the room to
reduce the chance of feedback from any reasonable microphone placement
• Be user friendly! We know and
understand many users are volunteers, not professionals, which is why we have
our training classes. But your
system should be simple for even the untrained to get up and running with a
minimum of instruction.
• Allow for easy maintenance and
longevity. A typical church will outgrow its system every ten years or so. You will
easily get the life of a system from a
Sound and Pixel design and typically many more years when properly maintained.
Advances in technology or a change
to a different style of worship are usually the only times you should need to
consider a new system.
Acoustics
How do you
evaluate your room? Remember, your sound system will affect how the acoustics
of the room respond, and the acoustics affect how the sound system is designed,
installed and tuned. They work together as a system and need to be, whenever
possible, designed together. But in reality, acoustics come first. Some considerations
that may help you decide if your room needs acoustic help. With the sound system turned off:
·
Is
it easy to understand the spoken word from all seats? There should be no ear
fatigue and no strain to hear at normal volumes.
·
Musicality
is maintained without the need to beat the room into submission with electronic
gadgets or volume!
·
There
should be a desirable, balanced and natural reverb decay time (called RT60)
in the room without using electronic reverbs.
·
Echoes
should be minimal or non-existent. Reflections are desirable and are the basis
of reverb. When they become overly pronounced or separated from the “direct
sound” of the source, they become problematic.
Acoustics
are complicated and take years of study to begin to understand and
appreciate. Sound and Pixel Inc. began
as a recording studio design company. We understand small room acoustics, but
as important, we have years of practical experience running sound for major
artists in small, medium, large and outdoor environments. And one of our
principal personnel has taught Acoustics at the college level for over 25 years.
We know acoustics.
Sound and Pixel Inc. can:
·
Evaluate
you existing sound system and room. We use sophisticated computer tools and
modeling software. We also use our ears! When it sounds good, it is good!
·
We
can help you evaluate proposals form other Audio Companies. We do not criticize
other companies, but can be the second opinion you may need when looking at
multiple proposals and none of the equipment is the same! This will allow you
to compare apples to apples.
·
We
can design a system for you based on your present needs and budget and allow it
to grow with you rather than replace it before its useable life is up.
·
After
the system is installed, we support you with both training and proper
maintenance of your new system.
·
Suggest
acoustic improvements that will enhance the worship experience while
maintaining the desired aesthetic of a worship space.
·
We
also work with architects and acousticians in developing and implementing
acoustic designs in new church buildings and re-designs in existing buildings.