TIERRASANTA 7th DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Sound Image Contracting Division completes new Audio, Video and Acoustics design/build project for Tierrasanta 7th Day Adventist Church in San Diego, CA.
Tierrasanta 7th Day Adventist Church (TSDA) began working with Sound Image on their new facility’s A/V design in late 2003. After a lengthy period of design, development and construction, the project was finally completed in February, 2006.
 Primary focus of the design was on audio, video and acoustics (AVA) for the main sanctuary. Additional distribution of audio and video signals was also included for various supporting areas throughout the new complex.
The core development team consisted of Peter Hester, TSDA’s Technical Director; Wayne Holtan, Principal Architect with Dominy & Associates; and Michael Fay, Senior Design Engineer with Sound Image (SI).
Aesthetics play a significant roll in the design and integration of A/V systems in most new facilities. For this project, aesthetics were a priority. SI created custom, structurally-certified, loudspeaker rigging methods to minimize the visual impact of the main loudspeakers while maintaining optimum positioning for excellent sound coverage.
Further, the traditional approach of using a motorized screen for video projection was rejected due to the complex architectural design above the platform. A dedicated space above the platform and baptistry was developed for projection directly onto the wall.
Special care was taken with construction techniques and painting to provide an extremely flat and smooth surface. The final paint application needed to compliment both the interior paint scheme and the requirements of appropriate screen gain and contrast. Engineers at SI use a custom speadsheet, developed by MF, to evaluate projectors and screens, and to calculate for acceptable Lumens, Lamberts, contrast ratio, ambient light, screen gain, aspect ratio and throw distance.
Sound Image worked closely with the Architect to develop and lay out the main platform and two dedicated operational areas for the sound and video technicians. The audio booth is located at the back of the sanctuary and occupies the same acoustic space as the pews. The video booth is an isolated room connected to the sanctuary with large windows. It is a dedicated operational space for live video production and presentation.
Audio System
The audio system is designed to operate as an exploded, full-range, point-source, monaural sound system. Every effort has been made to optimize the system for proper sound distribution and coverage, power handling, fidelity, speech intelligibility, ease of operation and reliability. A full EASE model of the 600-seat sanctuary was done to evaluate room acoustics, and loudspeaker selection and placement.
As is typical with most modern audio systems, a multi-channel, digital signal processor is used to adjust, process and route all main, delayed, distributed and monitoring signal paths. The system also includes a 32 channel analog mixing console. A custom side-car equipment rack is built into the audio booth millwork and provides easy access to the wireless mic receivers, EFX processor channels, record and playback decks and patchbay.
Partial Audio Equipment List
- Renkus-Heinz - STX series loudspeakers
- SLS - US series wedge monitors
- JBL - Control series 70V loudspeakers
- QSC - CX series amplifiers
- Symetrix - SymNet DSP
- Allen & Heath - GL series mixing console
- Lectrosonics - Venue series wireless mics
- Tascam – CDRW deck
- Marantz - Cassette deck
- Denon CD and cassette decks
- TC Electronics – EFX processor
- Shure - Wired mics
- Sennheiser - Wired mics
- Bittree - Patchbay
- ClearCom - Production intercom
- Furman - Sequential power distribution
Video System
The Video system is designed to have a dual operational scope. The sanctuary requires a single, front-projected image that is managed and controlled independently of the video content that is manipulated for recording and distribution outside the sanctuary.
While working within a reasonable, but not unlimited budget, the video system design relied heavily on multi-channel switching, routing, scaling and scan conversion devices along with an integrated composite video camera system. The camera system consists of three, remotely-controlled, PTZ cameras, and two positions for additional manned cameras.
Specific operational stations are allocated in the video booth. During normal worship services the video equipment is operated by two to three people. One workstation is dedicated to the real-time operation of the robotic camera controls, along with a control panel for switching and routing of various video signals for recording and RF distribution. A second workstation is dedicated to providing computer graphics, which are the primary projected content.
Communication between the audio and video booths is handled by a wired production intercom system that also services a preparation room behind the platform/baptistery area.
The equipment list included:
Partial
Video Equipment List
- Sanyo – XGA, LCD projector
- Extron - Switching, scaling, routing, distribution
- Sony - Robotic cameras and controller
- NEC - XGA preview and program monitors
- Marshall Electronics – Multi-screen preview monitors
- Denon – DVD and DVDR decks
- JVC – VCR deck
- Panasonic - VCR and portable camera
- Mackie - Video booth audio mixer and powered audio monitor
- Blonder Tongue – RF modulation and distribution
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