Due to the dilapidated sound system, we were contacted in order to offer a more modern and high-quality solution, which, with its installation, will not damage the visual identity of the space, while enriching the sound quality of the liturgical celebration. Given that the church is architecturally very complex and is dominated by large flat concrete surfaces and several apses in which woodcuts by the Russian artist Zvyagin depict the Way of the Cross, we come to the issue of acoustics and successful sounding of the space itself.

Bearing in mind the size of the space and the slight slope of the floor towards the altar of the church, it was necessary to implement a solution that would, under these conditions, enable proper sound coverage of the space, as well as high intelligibility of speech during the liturgy. In order to solve the mentioned problems as efficiently as possible, after careful design and presentation of the solution, the investor decided to replace the complete existing audio system. So we designed and installed a new sound system based on RCF, AUDIX and XILICA components. For even sound coverage of the entire space, above the altar and on the pillars in front of the space for the faithful, we installed four white three-system wall mounted RCF L2406T-W column sound boxes. The RCF L2406TW is equipped with six 5″ woofers and four 1″ dome tweeters placed in front of the center woofers. This special design allows coherent dispersion of sound while minimizing echo. The wide horizontal coverage angle and controlled vertical dispersion enable correct sound reproduction over a wide area and help limit microphonics and reverberant sound. In order to improve the intelligibility of the speech on the speakers, we activated the speech filter. We also implemented four RCF DM41-W two-system wall-mounted sound boxes in the apses above the seats and the choir position, above the woodcut visually imperceptibly. The speakers provide a natural and smooth reproduction, and that is why they are the ideal solution as a sound source integrated into the apse of the church. At the very entrance to the church, above the door, we installed two two-system wall-mounted RCF MQ 80P-W sound boxes. Since the speakers are suitable for outdoor installations (IP 55), we chose them as our solution for covering the outdoor space in front of the church itself. In order to enable the client to have easier and better control over the entire system, a control RCF MR 40-W sound box was installed in the sacristy room. The sound in the church should be as natural as possible, and high speech intelligibility is also necessary. In order to ensure high-quality speech reproduction, we offered Audix M1250BS microphones as a solution for the altar and ambo. The M1250BS are microphones with a supercardioid capsule (so-called “shotgun”), which has directional characteristics and therefore best “hunts” the sound that is in front of the microphone itself while at the same time minimally reacting to side sources. For the mobile needs of the liturgy, we offered the Audix AP42 OM2A wireless microphone set, which consists of 2 OM2 handheld transmitters and an R42 two-channel base, one Audix HT7 BG3P condenser omnidirectional head microphone and an Audix B60 bodypack wireless transmitter. A pair of Audix ANTDA4161 directional active antennas was also installed to enhance the reception of the wireless microphone signals and the functionality itself. The microphones proved to be a great solution and enabled the sound system to work louder without causing microphonics. The entire audio system is controlled by equipment installed in a rack cabinet in the sacristy of the church, and the main component of the system is the Xilica A0808 Neutrino, a digital sound processor (DSP) that controls all input channels, processes the audio signal and sends it, via an amplifier, to certain zones in the church. The entire system is largely automated, and for the necessary manual control, such as input channel selection, volume control and output zone selection, a 7″ Android touch panel is installed with the XILICA Xtouch. The panel is programmed to provide the user with all the necessary control with a simple interface. In addition to all installed devices, new cables were also laid for all positions of the installed speakers.
The client is extremely satisfied with the results obtained with the new audio system and the ease of use, and we are proud that we were able to respond to this quite demanding challenge.

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