Re…Order of the Day

Towards the end of last year Creative Audio-Visual Solutions were commissioned to install and optimise a new audio-visual system as part of the substantial re-ordering of St Cadoc’s Church in Caerleon, South Wales. The renowned church, with parts dating back to the 12th century, needed a system to both fit aesthetically within the church’s updated interior and also provide a high level of audio-visual quality for both in-house and online production. 

The audio system is based upon JBL’s CBT array column speaker, which are specifically designed for difficult acoustic spaces: eradicating sound projection into the ceiling – which can severely hinder intelligibility – while maximising horizontal coverage of all areas of the congregation. They perform seamlessly for speech and music amplification, alongside active subwoofers for enhanced low frequency reproduction: optimising all kinds of output, from live worship to video. Via an Allen & Heath AHM processor and Dynacord multi-channel amplification, each speaker is individually optimised – with delayed pillar speakers to avoid ‘audio-doubling’ as sound travels the length of the church. 

For audio input, an Allen & Heath SQ5 mixing console provides full control for the numerous Sennheiser radio microphones, AV sources and musicians via a remote digital stagebox – increasing system capacity to over 40 inputs. Bluetooth wireless music connectivity at both the balcony console and dais allows for service, wedding and funeral music to be played effortlessly from a portable device. 

On the video side, the church’s projection screen and nave projector were the only elements retained from before. Those were supplemented with additional choir displays and a portable trolley confidence monitor to allow service leaders to view images without needing to turn round. 

The heart of the visual system is the Roland V8-HD production mixer, uniquely able to manage in-house display alongside on-line streaming broadcast in a simple-to-use and highly-tactile system. With eight HDMi inputs and features such as dual picture-in-picture and downstream keying (overlay), highly professional streaming output can be achieved. Dual PTZoptics cameras with preset button control and multiple ambient microphones for congregation, choir and organ pick-up ensure audio and visuals are of the highest quality. 

CAVS were also commissioned to install a fully-managed network infrastructure within the church to ensure reliable AV connection as well as office and church broadband access. EnGenius routers and wi-fi access points were fitted throughout and allow cloud management for monitoring, quality of service and security. 

An additional, self-contained projection system was installed on the balcony for independent meeting usage, and a further projector was installed to project onto the north aisle wall for everyday signage for the many visitors who enter the magnificent building. 

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