based integration firm AVLX, the church deployed a comprehensive d&b audiotechnik sound system featuring SL-Series line arrays and subwoofers, combined with a DS100M signal engine. The Soundscape system features both the En-Space and En-Scene software modules.
The system is interconnected via the flexible MILAN networking protocol, ensuring low-latency and superior bandwidth management while maintaining mission-critical, full redundancy. With a weekly attendance of over 20,000 across five services, CBC required a solution that could serve their 3,500-seat main auditorium while bridging the gap between high-energy worship and intelligible spoken word. The church’s leadership, known for being early adopters, sought to replace an aging system that struggled with coverage and sightline issues.
At Community Bible Church, innovation isn’t a buzzword, it’s a mindset, says Joey Riggins, director of marketing and technology at AVLX. The leadership team believes technology, when used thoughtfully, can elevate every moment of worship. Their relentless pursuit of clarity ensured that they were willing to invest in the right solution from the start.
The decision to move to an immersive Soundscape system rather than a traditional left/right stereo array was driven by the desire to fundamentally change the congregant experience. We realized that if we replaced the old PA with just another stereo system, it would be much of the same experience, just with newer boxes, explains Chris Torri, managing partner at AVLX. We wanted to flip the script. We wanted to give them immersive audio so that everyone who walks in immediately notices a sea change in sonic quality.
The design philosophy leveraged Soundscape’s En-Space room emulation to solve a complex acoustic conflict common in modern churches. We designed the room to be acoustically dead to ensure pristine broadcast audio, which is a major priority for CBC, continues Torri. However, a dead room isn’t engaging for the congregation. With En-Space, we were able to add those reverberant characteristics back in while controlling the room’s energy.
The installation features a 360-degree Soundscape system. The main array consists of d&b audiotechnik XSLi8 and XSLi12 line array loudspeakers, supported by KSLi-SUB subwoofers flown for even low-frequency distribution. The system utilizes numerous point source fills including xS-Series 44S, 24S, 24S-D, 10S-Dand 8S loudspeakers. Low-end reinforcement is bolstered by Bi6-SUB and B22-SUB subwoofers. The entire system is powered by 38 40D installation amplifiers.
For Eric Allen, CBC’s head of audio, the primary benefits of the new system are clarity and consistency. The system utilizes En-Scene object-based positioning software to accurately place audio sources within the 360-degree sound field. With En-Scene, we’re turning the traditional concept of mixing on its head, says Allen. Instead of trying to create a wide stereo image that’s only perfect for a few seats, we’ve aimed the audience’s focus toward the stage.
For more information, visit dbaudio.com.