Focus on the Family, one of the largest Christian ministries in the U.S., put out a request for bid to upgrade the lighting system in its Chapelteria, a 750-seat large multi-functional conference and event space at its headquarter campus in Colorado Springs. Focus on the Family’s AV team had a set of lighting products in mind and worked with Ben Gleason of LVW Electronics, the local systems solutions provider that won the contract, to ensure their needs were met.

LVW reached out to Elation lighting who in turn put them in touch with Jay Cid of Professional Sound and Lighting Products (www.pslp.com), who was integral in determining the best Elation lighting products for the space. In response, a turn-key solution was created that provided Focus with an outstanding and cost effective lighting system.

Ken Toal, Focus on the Family’s audio visual services manager, recently reflected on the project. “The design we settled on was due to Ben and his team being willing to go the extra mile in order for us to get the desired functionality and performance.” LVW and PSLP designed a system based on the types of shows and presentations that occur in the Chapelteria such as religious services, conferences, monthly meetings and special events.

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When a church is struck by lightning, it’s likely to make one pause and consider-and then get on with repairs as quickly as possible. So when Highpointe Church in Oklahoma City was zapped in an August 2013 electrical storm, demolishing the main building’s electrical systems and all connected lighting and audio equipment, its leaders didn’t hesitate. They called on 35-year-veteran systems integrator and designer Enginuity, headquartered in Tulsa, to design and install new systems for the 1980s-vintage, 680-seat sanctuary, including a state-of-the art PA system from Fulcrum Acoustic.

“The lightning strike was apparently a static air burst that came through the wiring in the ceiling, destroying everything local in the building,” says Enginuity CIO Tom Johnson. “Thermostats exploded, the main power transformer was ruined, wiring melted throughout the building, keyboards onstage were ruined, and pieces were blown off the mixing console. The conduit in the floor had previously collapsed, and much of it had melted wire that we couldn’t get out.”

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Befitting a country that has the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is home to an extensive network of mosques both old and new. In one of the latest additions to the country’s worship community, the Masjid Raya Pontianak mosque in Pontianak, west of Kalimantan, was officially opened by President Joko Widodo in January 2015 – and among its many features is an impressively high-end audio installation.

Jakarta-based AV supplier and installer PT Gracia Auvindo was enlisted to ensure that prayers and meetings in the new facility could be heard as clearly as possible. As a long-term Symetrix system user, PT Gracia Auvindo director Adi Widjaya was aware that one of their DSPs would provide the simple yet robust audio processing and distribution required throughout the 3,600 sqm site.

“We created a four-zone section in the salat (prayer) area as well as one zone for the minaret, and the Symetrix Jupiter 8 fixed-architecture DSP was invaluable in helping us to achieve seamless time alignment between each area,” says Widjaya. “Meanwhile, the selection of an ARC-2e Adaptive Remote Control wall-panel enables the user to have straightforward control of basic parameters – such as switch on/off and gain control – for each zone.”

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“Sorry I’m So Awesome” Contest Starts Today

Starting today, Mackie lovers can enter the “Sorry I’m So Awesome” contest with a chance to win an all-new Mackie FreePlay Personal PA. Mackie’s created fun, retro-styled videos with interesting “deep thoughts” on how awesome you can be with your FreePlay. This is a fun opportunity to win a Mackie FreePlay, the ultimate personal PA that is changing the way people perform, present and play. Watch the videos, get inspired and tell Mackie exactly how awesome you are whether you love blasting your favorite tunes all night or having the best karaoke party ever. The contest runs through September 31, 2015.

Two winning entries will be chosen and used in new “Sorry I’m So Awesome” videos that will be posted to the Mackie YouTube channel and shared via social media. Winners will also receive a FreePlay Personal PA along with the Lithium-ion Battery, Kickstand/Pole-Mount and Carry Bag accessories. In addition to those grand prize winners, multiple entries will receive a Mackie t-shirt and their entry will be featured on the Mackie Facebook and Twitter pages.

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Live-Streaming: Mixing Audio Prefade or Postfade

You know (if you’ve been watching long), that I really think that audio for your live-stream should be mixed by a dedicated individual in an isolated room. Not every church can do that. So the next best option is mixing with an aux. The question is whether you should mix prefade or post-fade. That’s a good question. With prefade, you have more control and you acn affect the live mix without affecting the house (in the case of something you don’t want in the house). The downside is that it’s more work and easier to forget. With post fade, it’s easier. Hard to forget. The con to this that you have less control and could end up with a mix that just doesn’t sound as good. So, what do you think? Which would you prefer?

To watch a video and read more, please click here.