RG Jones Sound Engineering took care of the installation using o supplied by by Harman Pro distributor, Sound Technology. In all, it comprises 127 JBL miniature Control 52 satellite loudspeakers, accessed via BSS Soundweb DSP to optimise the sound broadcast from seven fixed mic positions at the lecterns. A further four zones cover the organ loft (where the equipment rack is situated), the ante-chapel, control screen position and altar.

Because the system was designed to handle gentle reinforcement rather than public address, sequential delay times were measured by installation manager, Jon Berry from each of the mic positions to each of the Chapel’s 14 speaker zones (based on seven mic positions feeding each of the North and South sides). Careful programming of the Soundweb system ensured that the voice of the speaker or celebrant is heard first at the local position.

Alongside Berry, the design and implementtion were handled by RG Jones’ Project Manager, Jeff Woodford. It was complicated by the restrictions of the building being listed by English Heritage, and called for the loudspeakers to be set discreetly on the shelving under the pews, and the transformer distribution boxes to be similarly concealed.

‘When two people are speaking from different positions, it will automatically recall a different preset to deliver a compromise between the two positions, Berry explains. ‘The system simply auto configures and triggers the delay time, via preset recalls.’

This was achieved using London Architect’s Logic to program two Soundweb Blu-100 devices (configured with 12-inputs/8-outputs), to sense when audio is passed into the system. ‘At the point that it reaches a certain level it will trigger a preset, which sets the delay time appropriate to the particular speaker, ensuring that the listener can detect exactly where the sound source is,’ Berry says.

With the installation of 127 100V line Control 52s – a large number for a listed building – and the additional number of zones, a BSS Blu-Bob2 was incorporated into the design to expand the number of outputs.

The Control 52s were specified by Peter Mapp + Associates, who drew up the tender document on behalf of property management consultants. Woodford stated that due to the fixing plate/wall bracket assembly, and ball-and-socket arrangement that allowed allows each speaker to be angled up to 45° off-axis, they had experienced no difficulty in concealing and pointing these miniature speakers.

In terms of operation, RG Jones simplified the use of Soundweb, mindful that it would be used by clergy rather than audio technicians. ‘We created our own front end GUI, which communicates directly with the system,’ says Woodford. ‘There is one fixed position and a portable tablet with a docking station next to the equipment rack, which can be used on WiFi, with a further docking station downstairs in the centre of the Chapel.’

New speaker cabling and mic Starquad infrastructure has been run from the organ loft, where the equipment cabinets are located, concealed under the pews and colour matched to its surround to avoid detection.

‘This is the first time the Chapel had used sound reinforcement, and given the restrictions and number of mic positions, it proved to be a particularly challenging project,’ Berry observes. ‘But thanks to the discreet and versatile nature of the Control 52’s, and programming flexibility of Soundweb’s London Architect, we have been able to deliver an optimum localised sound to every seat in the room via a simple interface.’