Communicating with congregations through audiovisual technology is becoming increasingly popular in houses of worship. This can include a mix of speakers, video projection and display, lighting, broadcasting equipment, and more. No matter the size of the congregation, a house of worship’s audio visual equipment has become an important technical component of their services.
Here’s a look at the technology needed in a house of worship:
Audio
Much of a house of worship’s service revolves around listening, which is why the audio system should be of primary concern. Here are the necessary components of a quality sound system:
- Microphones
Many different microphones will be needed for the various aspects of the service. The person leading the service will need a headset or lapel microphone for maximum movement. There should also be a pulpit microphone for others to use during readings. Lastly, microphones for the music, both the instruments and the choir. In a smaller setting, the instruments might not need individual microphones.
- Soundboard
The soundboard connects all audio sources to the amplifier and speakers. A separate channel is needed for each source, so you’ll want to take that into consideration when selecting the right soundboard. Also look at the number of tone controls, auxiliary, and effects being sent on each channel.
- Equalizer
Used to tailor the sound system to the room acoustics, the equalizer can reduce the feedback that occurs when increasing the volume. Generally, once this is set, it can be left alone as long as no major changes are made to the system or room acoustics.
- Amplifier
While the amplifier determines the overall power of the system, it needs to match the speakers’ power rating to prevent issues with the system. In this capacity, there is generally not a lot of power needed. For speeches, only about 10-20 watts will be used and for live music, there’s a possibility for that need to increase to 50-100 watts.
- Speakers
The number and type of speakers used in a house of worship depends on the size of the room, the quality needed, what audio will be used, and aesthetics. Choosing between powered and passive speakers can eliminate a separate amplifier from the system because powered speakers already have one built in. The speakers can be placed on the floor, wall mounted, or ceiling mounted for concealment purposes.
Video
More and more frequently houses of worship are recording or live streaming their services to reach a broader audience. Here are the components of a video system for a house of worship:
- Cameras
The size of the venue will determine whether a single camera system or a multiple camera system will be needed. Multiple cameras are often needed for larger houses of worship in order to capture various angles of the service. Depending on the quality requirements, a choice will need to be made between standard definition and high definition cameras. This depends mostly on the budget.
- PTZ controller
If pan-tilt-zoom cameras are being used, a PTZ controller is needed. One person can operate multiple cameras using one joystick-style controller, which is often more reliable than the IR remote that comes with the camera. This also allows for the cameras to be mounted out of the view of the congregation.
- Mixer
The inputs and outputs of a mixer are the most important consideration. Review what type and number of inputs the mixer has, the type and number of outputs, and if audio will need to be mixed with the video. The second consideration needs to be the possibility for expansion. The mixer should be able to handle more cameras than the venue is currently using so there’s room to grow the system later.
- Video Capture Device
Whether recording or streaming, a video capture device is required to capture video from the cameras to the computer. USB video capture devices work best in situations where a laptop is being used, and video is only being captured from one camera. If the computer is not a laptop, it will have a PCIe slot, which is beneficial when using a multi-channel PCIe capture card with multiple cameras.
AV Superstore can assist in designing the perfect audiovisual setup for a house of worship of any size. Visit our website or give us a call at 866-866-6767 to learn more about the systems available.