After years of holding congregations in houses, school halls and tents around Pretoria, South Africa’s Capital City Church International (3Ci) now has its own space – a new build equipped with audiovisual systems by Stage Audio Works (SAW).

Involved in the process from the early stages, SAW played a large part in the planning and execution of the project, delivering a comprehensive PA system based on Yamaha mixing and d&b loudspeakers, as well as a turnkey house lighting system and building-wide BGM and control.

One of the primary considerations was audio clarity in the main auditorium, a large space with a capacity of 2,500. Ensuring sound constancy in such a large space proved challenging, requiring close collaboration between SAW, 3Ci, architect, Ferdi Le Grange and acoustician Bruce Gessner.

The aim was to design a space that was intimate and functional, with no audio disparity between seats. To achieve consistency in such a large space, acoustics were a key consideration. ‘We recommended that 3Ci bring in Bruce Gessner from AcousticWorx to develop a bespoke turnkey acoustics design and treatment plan,’ says SAW CTO, Nathan Ihlenfeldt. ‘This resulted in an immaculate sound environment boasting a sub 1.2s reverb as well as excellent intelligibility.’

SAW did justice to the acoustics with a PA system comprising a LR hangs of eight d&b Y8/Y12 arrays (four each per hang) supported by out fill arrays of six 10AL on either side of the stage. Low end is handled by three flown 27A-Subs per side, combined with a ground stack of six 21S-Subs. The set-up is completed by eight 8S loudspeaker that serve as front fill. The system is powered by d&b 30D amplifiers, served by a Yamaha CL5 console.

‘What we really love about this venue is that there are no bad seats in the house. There is an even spread of sound wherever you go,’ reports 3Ci Worship Director, Damian Phillips.

SAW also provided 3Ci with a building-wide BGM system using a mixture of Audac and QSC surface and ceiling loudspeakers for the areas outside of the auditorium. The system can also deliver audio from the auditorium, fostering an inclusive atmosphere enabling attendees elsewhere in the building to listen to an active service. A range of Attero Tech Bluetooth panels and SAW’s proprietary Windows POE touch panels running on a Q-Sys network provide easy and intuitive local media playback and control.

Architect Ferdi Le Grange was impressed by how easy it was to work with Stage Audio Works: ‘They weren’t just the consultants or a service provider; they were a collaborator from the beginning of the project,’ he says. ‘Together we crafted a solution to provide 3Ci with an intimate worship and preaching environment, as well as a cutting-edge RGBW house light solution and a building management system which ties a number of trades in the venue.’

‘The experience was brilliant,’ confirms 3Ci Elder, Eugene Smith. ‘The quality of the holistic product delivered is simply amazing. The sound, the lighting and the acoustics all combine to create a truly intimate worship experience despite the size of the auditorium – everyone feels involved. When people walk in, they see excellence. It’s far beyond anything we’d dreamt of.’

More: www.stageaudioworks.com