Princeton University Chapel, one of the largest university chapels in the US, has updated its audio system to a Renkus-Heinz, complete with beam-steering capabilities. The system utilises 13 different self-powered Renkus-Heinz IC Live Gen5 loudspeakers throughout the main sanctuary, located on each side of the altar, on the columns of the nave, on the sidewalls of the balcony, and at the Marquand Chapel.
Complete with seating for almost 2000 worshippers, the nave features sandstone walls with limestone highlights and towering 80 ft-high ceilings, but its admirable aesthetics compromised the speech intelligibility of liturgical services. To resolve the sound issues, the chapel’s staff reached out to Maryland-based audio-visual integrators Washington Professional Systems (WPS).
The brief specified clear and intelligible speech for all congregants, as well as acoustically balanced music enhancement, broadcast capabilities and better audio clarity for worship leaders, the choir and the musicians.
With the system they installed, each loudspeaker 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.
Meanwhile, the IC Live Gen5 Series features OmniBeam, an algorithm that offers sound and coverage for all venues, without complex configuration. The use of OmniBeam is designed to provide custom-tailored sound that covers the exact geometry of the space, delivering consistency from the front to the back.
The former university of Michelle Obama, New Jersey’s Ivy League Princeton University is one of the top schools in the United States. Princeton University Chapel, which gives nods to the architectural style of the English Gothic Cathedrals, was constructed in 1928 after a fire destroyed the previous worship site.
The cruciform chapel cost over $2 million to construct and was the largest university chapel in the US. For years, the venue has been relied on to carry congregations, host events and offer an oasis in the centere of the university campus for people of all faiths.
“The loudspeaker system was designed with the goal of delivering high-quality speech intelligibility and tonal balance for music, whilst also respecting the venue,” said John V Fish, senior project engineer, WPS.
Sam Berkow of SIA Acoustics, added: “The beam-steering capabilities allow control of sound dispersion from the loudspeakers in the vertical plane. This capability helps fine tune the system for highly intelligible speech in the very reverberant and reflective Chapel. Additionally, the IC Live Gen5 loudspeakers allow us as designers to control the vertical dispersion of sound to the point where we can create the sense that sound is coming from the presenter or worship leader themselves, rather than from the loudspeakers. This system allows a historic building to meet the expectations of today’s most demanding audiences.”
The system is mixed through an Allen and Heath Avantis digital console, and a Dante-based network is used to transport audio signals throughout the sanctuary, the choir and the altar. This network enables the system to move the audio signature effectively with low latency at a low cost – which means each signal can be routed as needed including to specific loudspeaker groups.
“By offering multiple modes of operation, the design allows chapel staff to activate and use the system without navigating a complicated startup procedure,” concluded Fish. “Additionally, the system has enough headroom to be used for a wide variety of events with no drop-off in quality or sonic clarity.”
