Princeton University chapel audio system upgraded

Washington Professional Systems (WPS) has completed a major revamp of the audio system at Princeton University’s chapel.

The US university hosts a range of ceremonies and and musical events in the chapel and wanted to improve audio clarity, expand its recording capabilities and modernise the infrastructure.

WPS teamed up with AV consultant SIA Acoustics to design, engineer and integrate an audio system that could cater for a variety of users and events.

Speakers
The loudspeaker system utilises 13 self-powered Renkus-Heinz Iconyx-series speakers throughout the main sanctuary, located on each side of the altar, on the columns of the nave, on the sidewalls of the balcony and in the Marquand Chapel. Each speaker receives an independent audio signal from the DSP and is programmed with specific delays to act as one unit, creating the effect that the audio is being delivered from the altar.

Fulcrum Acoustic RX599-series speakers have been suspended at the bottom of the chandeliers in the nave, crossing and transept sections to provide envelopment support for musical and choir performances.

Additionally, Fulcrum CX8-series loudspeakers are placed in the chancel’s chandeliers above the choir section and act as flown monitors to provide audio from above the choir. This configuration allows the choir to hear spoken word from the pulpit and lectern, and also hear themselves and other musicians during performances. The system also incorporates six dB Technologies DVX DM 28-series portable floor monitors.

The audio system is powered by a series of QSC Q-SYS CX-Q-series networked powered amplifiers and a Q-SYS Core 510i integrated DSP.

The front-of-house mixing uses an Allen&Heath 96kHz Avantis digital console for mixing, signal routing and control. The 64-channel allows settings to be stored and recalled, based on user profile.

The chapel’s audio system uses a Dante-based network to transport signals to the sanctuary, choir and altar. The configuration allows the system to move audio signature efficiently with low latency and at a lower cost than with analogue distribution.

Recording system
A new recording production system has been designed to expand the capabilities of the existing streaming and broadcast studio. It includes ProTools DAW (digital audio workstation) compatibility with a Waves plugin and DANTE network interface through a 12-core Apple Mac Pro workstation.

The recording system captures audio from a series of microphones installed within the chancel and crossing/nave. The ProTools system can be operated from the front-of-house section via DANTE. The production studio also incorporates a pair of Neumann KH80 monitors.

The production team operates in many areas of the chapel and needed a way of communicating during events and services. A Clear-Com system using both wires and wireless stations was integrated, with the fixed (wired) communication ports in the front-of-house, vestry, choir green room and broadcast studio locations.

Microphones
Microphones are used throughout the chapel for broadcast/recording purposes and audio amplification. In the choir section, two pairs of DPA Microphone 4011C-series stereo microphones have been installed on a support cable, which are used for the audio recording system.

Earthworks FW730 cardioid microphones have been installed facing the choir section for speech, music and choral applications. For instrument audio pick up in the choir section, Audix SCX, D6, MicroBoom and DP5-series microphones, as well as an Earthworks PM40 microphone system, are connected to a portable rack under the pulpit and can be used for events requiring additional capture capacity.

The pulpit and lectern locations use Audix MICROPOD-series gooseneck microphones. A Shure Axient wireless microphone system with two Shure AD4Q receivers is used throughout the chapel to support a series of Shure ADX2, ADX1, TL46B wireless microphones.

The entire audio system can be managed with or without an operator. With a technician, the system operates with full capabilities. The two non-operator modes are controlled via touchscreens at locations including the front-of-house area and pulpit.

Assisted listening system
An assisted listening system from ListenTech has been introduced that allows members of the audience to use either a dedicated receiver or their smartphones as headsets. The system uses ListenTech’s combined wifi/RF transmitter technology on the chapel’s Dante network to deliver wireless audio with minimal interference and latency.

The chapel’s historical status meant that modifications or alterations to the stone walls or wooden surfaces had to be approved by the project architect and Princeton’s historic preservation team.

The university also decided that the chapel had to remain open throughout the project for daily mass and events. To maintain normal operations, WPS created staggered shifts for the field teams that followed the chapel’s daily activities to minimise any scheduling conflicts.

The chapel’s new audio system achieved its goal of blending modern and advanced capabilities with flexible but easy-to-use operation. By offering multiple modes of operation, chapel staff can use the system without navigating a complicated start-up procedure. The system also has enough headroom to be used for a wide variety of events with no drop-off in sonic clarity.