LONDON CHURCH INSTALLS iDR SYSTEM

An Allen & Heath iDR DSP system has been installed in St Paul’s Church in London’s Covent Garden as part of an overhaul of the sound distribution system. The church, affectionately known as ‘The Actors' Church’ because of its long association with the theatre community, commissioned Autograph Sales to supply, design, install and programme a new audio system in time for the Julian Slade memorial where a host of stars, including Christopher Biggins, Jeremy Irons and Humphrey Barclay, turned out to pay their respects. EM Acoustics speakers and MC2 amplifiers were installed in the main areas, with JBL speakers in the foyer and vicar’s office. Processing is provided by the Allen & Heath iDR-8, which offers easy operation for non-technical users. “The iDR-8 allows control of system presets, levels and muting from the front panel of the iDR-8 or from three remote locations using the Allen & Heath PL range of wall plates and controllers,” comments Autograph’s sound engineer, Simeon Ludwell. The church is fitted with one 8-channel PL-10 rotary controller, two PL-4 wallplates and two PL-5 handheld remote controllers, plus a PL-10 in the balcony for the organist to control overall levels of CD, external mixing console input, two radio microphones and two lectern microphones.

A PL-4 in the vicar’s office allows control of the foyer and vicar’s office levels. Sound is needed in the office so the vicar and other members of the clerical team can hear the service when they are engaged in other duties. A PL-4 in the main room allows levels and routing to be controlled by staff, while using the PL-5 allows infra-red control by the vicar to maintain good levels in the building without having to walk to the controls. “As the vicar moves around the building a lot it was necessary to provide wireless control. The PL-5 and PL-4 combination was the only cost effective solution – plus it is very discreet,” continues Ludwell. Rector Simon Grigg says: “We are absolutely delighted with the new system. Autograph really listened to what I wanted, and respected the special characteristics of this Grade I listed building. Although they are obviously technically very knowledgeable, they installed a system that is very easy for a layperson to operate.”