FIRST OMNILINE® IN MAGHERALIN CHURCH
Magheralin Parish Church, situated 20 miles south of Belfast, has become the first recipient in Ireland of Martin Audio's new OmniLine® system.
As with many rural areas, large churches sprang up in the late 19th Century during the Ulster revival period; and although originally built in 699 AD, this was re-built in 1891.
Magheralin first approached Rea Sound back in December 2007 to discuss the possibility of installing a new PA and visual system. After numerous meetings, site visits and a tender process Rea Sound was awarded the contract.
The original sound specification had opted for the Martin Audio Blackline Series as the preferred speaker cabinets - but it soon became clear that the new Martin Audio OmniLine® was the better way forward. Rea Sound were also aware that this would be the first OmniLine® install in a church anywhere in the UK or Ireland - and possibly Europe.
After a demonstration to the consultant it was agreed that the OmniLine® system would provide a perfect solution for the church. An important factor was the sensitivity of the installation to the building and its ornate stone work and delicate fabric.
Following a full sound study using the OmniLine® software the optimum position was calculated. The furniture was designed, agreed and built locally and then subsequently fitted in early August, allowing Rea Sound to begin the installation.
Getting the proper fixings was difficult for the OmniLine® positions - but due to the flexibility of the speakers they were able to adjust the height of install and the angles of the arrays to gain secure fixings.
Powered from a single Martin Audio MA1400 power amp and a DX1 system controller the OmniLine® provides exceptional sound quality throughout. The Chancel is provided for by way of two AQ5's for infills. The church is extremely happy with the design and look of the speaker cabinets and the overall sound coverage.
Like many churches today Magheralin is utilising more and more live praise instruments, and an adequate live mixing console was requested. Thus an Allen & Heath GL2400 32-channel desk is located to the rear left hand side of the church, situated in the newly created technical area, to provide main PA mixing.
At the centre of the visual installation lies the 8ft-wide projection screen above the pulpit with three additional 42' LCD screens being located to cover the choir and outlying areas. A 5500Lmi projector has been discreetly installed to provide the image for the main screen, while the sources for the images are the installed computer and full function dome camera. All the imagery is handled in HD quality and is processed and controlled / switched by Kramer devices.