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Photos courtesy of Daniel A. Ely Photography |
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Church's Lighting Choices Burn Brighter in Reflection of Time
Wisconsin-based Blackhawk Church is now seeing the wisdom in decisions made during a 2007 expansion project. They are thankful they based the new facility's lighting system on products that can be enhanced as the church's budget allows.
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| Preprogrammed with various lighting looks or scenes, and accessible by the touch of a button, Blackhawk's event coordinators don't need to spend much time trying to get the lighting just right. Courtesy of Daniel A. Ely Photography. |
In their old facility, the Blackhawk staff was tasked with lighting more worship services, as well as an increasing amount of special performances and day-to-day church activities – all on a limited budget. Finding enough volunteers able to run the lighting was also a big challenge. In November 2007 Blackhawk opened the doors on a new, expansive facility in Madison, with ample space to grow. Inside the impressive site is a lighting system that gives Blackhawk greater functionality, ease of use, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to add on and expand.
The new building has several worship spaces – a large auditorium, a more intimate multipurpose room, and a youth area – and many offices, conference rooms, a nursery, and much more. Throughout, an ETC Unison architectural control system handles the lighting. The Unison interface has been an important tool for Blackhawk, as it can be pre-programmed with various lighting looks or scenes accessed by the touch of a button, removing the need for a technician to be present at every event. And with such a busy schedule of weddings, receptions, conferences and more, event coordinators simply press a button and don't need to spend time trying to get the lighting just right.
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| Blackhawk Church in Madison, Wisc. finished an expansion project in 2007. The church now hosts ten services that attract more than 3,700 people on a given Sunday. Courtesy of Daniel A. Ely Photography. |
To keep up with the ten services that attract more than 3,700 people on a given Sunday and special events held at Blackhawk, an ETC SmartFade compact lighting board and Sensor+ dimming system control the theatrical lighting rig, which consists solely of ETC Source Four ellipsoidal and PAR fixtures. Blackhawk Director of Technical Arts, Mark Wyse and a group of volunteers run the system. Wyse and associate Andy Geipel work together with the ministry leaders to design the lighting.
Wyse says, "We were looking for a lighting system that could be easily scaled as our needs changed. Due to budget constraints, we had to start with the minimum and expand from there." ETC's Sensor+ dimming system does just that, because more modules and racks can be added over time.
SmartFade was a good console choice, as well, since it has an easy learning curve. "I spent 15 minutes walking through the online tutorials," says Wyse, "And when the console arrived, I had no trouble getting it to do what I wanted." SmartFade's portable size is another benefit for Blackhawk, as it can easily be moved from room to room for concerts or performances, and even outdoors. Most of the programming for events and worship services is prepared beforehand, with some tweaking and adjustments done as necessary on the fly.
The Source Four fixtures on the rig are used for regular services and also for video-production/broadcast lighting. Pairing the spotlights with soft diffusion gels evens out the light to prevent shadows or chalky complexions on camera.
g with limited capabilities, lighting in the new building is a breeze. In the future, Blackhawk staff hopes to expand its lighting equipment, possibly to include automated lighting. But for now, the church has what it needs. "Our ETC equipment is rock solid and gets the job done," according to Wyse. "Plus, when a rare problem arises, ETC's tech support is phenomenal."
For more information, visit www.etcconnect.com. |
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STUFF YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW ...
WFX: Where Church Leadership Teams Connect with Tools and Technology to Create Meaningful Spaces and Powerful Worship Experiences
On October 27-30, 2009, Charlotte, N.C., will unveil the house-of-worship market's premier conference and tradeshow event—WFX Charlotte. Now in its fifth year, Worship Facilities Conference & Expo is hosted by Church Production and Worship Facilities magazines and EH Events. The event brings together over 3,500 church and industry leaders and over 200 exhibitors from around the world to guide facilities and technology investments and opportunities for houses of worship. Designed for decision-making teams from churches of all sizes, the goal is to deliver exceptional learning opportunities, and showcase state-of-the-art products and services designed to help churches achieve their ministry goals by providing inviting and meaningful spaces and powerful, relevant worship experiences.
 This year's event will deliver on its theme, "WFX Gets You There," by offering attendees a newly updated Conference, dynamic keynote presentations, packed expo floor, networking opportunities and tours of some of the most successful and innovative churches in the Charlotte area.
"The WFX Charlotte program is designed so attendees can research opportunities and options in just three days that would otherwise take them months to achieve independently," says Brian Blackmore, founding editor of Church Production and Worship Facilities magazines. "This program offers such a wide-range of tools and information that an entire church staff can benefit from attending. From pastors and church business leaders to technical directors and technical teams to worship space design and operations teams, this conference works for everyone."
The WFX Conference program offers over 60 sessions (85% are new for Charlotte) taught by dozens of new presenters in five distinguished tracks: Designing, Building and Upgrading Facilities; Your Facilities: Optimizing Functionality; Tech Essentials: A/V and Lighting Technologies; Church Websites & Social Media; and Professional Development and Team Building. These sessions, many of which are taught by church leaders and their representatives, will address the needs of small, medium, and large houses of worship. Each track will provide the core education to design, create and manage technology, facilities and growth needs. In addition, attendees will gain firsthand experience through Hands-On Training Sessions.
Attendees will gain even more insight from five uplifting keynotes presented by church visionaries who will share their inspiring experiences, sponsored by Charlotte-based Audio Ethics. This year's keynote presenters include:
- Rick Bezet, senior pastor of New Life Church, Ark.
- Dino Rizzo, pastor of Healing Place Church, La.
- Claude Alexander, bishop of The Park Ministries, N.C.
- Chris Hodges, senior pastor of Church of the Highlands, Ala.
- Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church, Washington, DC.
The WFX experience has been designed to go beyond the trade show booth. In addition to learning about the latest tools and technologies showcased by over 200 exhibitors on the expo floor attendees will interact directly with new products in Exhibitor-Offered Training Sessions, and preview groundbreaking architectural projects in Design Central. The popular Social Media Lounge will also return to WFX Charlotte to showcase how ministries can benefit from the integration of popular social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook.
Attendees will have an opportunity to see how all the pieces come together in exclusive behind-the-scenes church tours. Elevation Church in Matthews, NC will open its doors to conference attendees to showcase how they have embraced multi-site technology in their newly renovated facility. A second tour will also be offered to highlight how one church best utilizes its facilities.
While WFX Charlotte offers education and training for the entire church team, this year's event will offer specialized programming for specific team members. TThe Pastors' Programming, co-presented by XPastor.org, Church Solutions Group, and Cornerstone Knowledge Network, will help pastors and church leaders learn and develop strategies on how to identify, plan, and achieve ministry and growth opportunities for churches of any size. This programming will also offer the latest research on trends that should steer planning, and help strengthen stewardship of technology and facility investments.
In addition to Pastors' Programming, WFX will also offer a Tech Director Retreat for those eager to dig deeper into technology and technical ministry with like-minded peers. Led by experienced technical directors, this workshop features panel, roundtable, and breakout discussions to help attendees address their most pressing concerns.
Full event information is available online at www.wfxweb.com. To register now for WFX Charlotte, visit the website or call (800) 598-6031. Space is limited for reserved, discounted hotel rooms.
Digital Signage System Expands at Catholic University of America
What started as an upgrade to honor the Pope, is now expanding into a digital display system which benefits everyone on campus. It all started in April 2008 when Pope Benedict XVI announced he would visit the campus of The Catholic University of America in Brookland (known as "Little Rome), in northeast Washington, D.C. The staff was understandably excited. "We wanted to replace our old, outdated display system that only showed PowerPoint slides with something more modern and dynamic," says Brandon Pettit, assistant director of conferences and event planning for the Pryzbyla University Center. "The Pope's visit expedited the choice to go digital." After seeing AxisTV from Visix at the annual conference of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), colleagues decided that this was the system they were looking for.
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| Image courtesy of Visix. |
"With Visix, you control all the content, with no monthly rental fees. One of the driving reasons behind our purchase was its advertised compatibility with our scheduling software: CollegeNET R25." In March 2008, Catholic University purchased AxisTV Professional 7.0 and three channel players to start them off. "We only managed to get the basics up and running in time for the Pope's visit," says Pettit. "But he and other high-ranking officials did see welcome messages on our screens. Guests were also guided by way-finding messages on the displays." Since then, they have added another three channel players, including one that drives content to the campus television network, shown in the new student housing.
Catholic University now has displays on every floor, from 42- to 65-inches in size, in lobbies and next to the restaurant/dining facility. Display layouts are split into three content blocks with a weather ticker at the bottom. Screens display student events, building hour notifications, and information on the dining area. They plan to use the Visix Screen Saver Publisher on six email terminals and are working on integrating event schedules. "Students generate a significant amount of the content. We plan to create student organization accounts as well, so they can use AxisTV while we retain approval rights," Pettit adds. Content is created using PowerPoint and AxisTV's FreeForm editor – much of it by Kim Parrott, Administrative Assistant, with Pettit and the student staff also contributing.
"It has clearly reached its way around campus," says Pettit. "Students stop to watch it and now other offices want to use it as well." The extensive Athletics Department, which includes baseball, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, tennis, swimming and track and field, has a 65-inch display in their entrance lobby that shows team scores and team and individual season records. They plan to stream athletic events over the Internet on the main display and smaller screens next to the concession stands.
"The advantage of AxisTV is that you can have multiple users with layered security. It's also web-based, so you can use it from your desk or even from home." He also likes the expansion capabilities the Visix system offers. "There are unlimited content and layout options. You can incorporate streaming and video, and interface with scheduling software to make things even easier." In addition to AxisTV, Catholic University uses bulletin boards, easels, and large banners in the three-story Atrium. "We look at digital signage as a method for enhancing traditional media."
For more information, please visit www.visix.com.
Cutting-Edge Video Wall Front and Center at Fort Worth's Sagamore Baptist Church
The Sagamore Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas, needed a media solution that would display graphics, video and text on the big screens without baffling the volunteers. A key factor in equipment selection for them was ease of operation. "We wanted a solution that would give us flexibility in presenting our message while being easy enough for non-technical volunteers to operate," says Billy Taylor, Sagamore's pastor. "We wanted to blend together multiple inputs and put them up on a big screen but, just as important, we did not want to stretch the images.
 The church has installed two Panasonic projectors with edge blending, with a RGB Spectrum MediaWall 1500 processor providing the requisite overlaps for the edge blend. The result is a visual presentation system that enhances the worship service with inspiring graphics, text and video with a system that's easy to learn.
The system was designed and installed by RGB Spectrum's technology partner Electro Acoustics.
The MediaWall 1500 serves up full-screen and windowed images from broadcast sources, DVD players and Apple Macintosh computers. In addition, an IMAG (image magnification) video camera presents a larger-than-life view of the pastor and participants. Keynote software from Apple Computer delivers the rich backgrounds, text and graphics presentations completing the system. An AMX touch panel control system directs the various systems for a smooth, professional live service.
"The MediaWall 1500 was able to adjust the size of the images to keep them in the proper aspect ratio," Pastor Taylor says while adding that church member volunteers easily learned to run the system and with inspiring results.
For more information, please visit www.rgb.com.
| NEW PRODUCTS |
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Gefen Extender for HDMI v1.3 |
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Connectivity solutions provider Gefen today announced the availability of its improved Extender for HDMI v1.3 over One CAT-6a cable. This sender/receiver system delivers high-definition video at 1080p full HD with up to 12-bit deep color support up to 175 feet (53m) in length using just one shielded CAT-6a cable. Resolutions at 1080i/60 can be extended even further up to 250 feet (76m). All HDMI v1.3 features are supported including lip-sync audio, Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio.
With this extender, installers can cut cable costs by half as previous solutions required the use of two CAT-5 cables to reach the same distance. Displays mounted on walls or projectors installed on the ceiling can receive their HDMI signal from a source located in a rack-mounted area or closet. At the 175 foot extension length, the system can accommodate most large conference rooms, retail or entertainment spaces.
"This extender was designed to offer professionals a reliable alternative to the use of two CAT-5 cables," says Hagai Gefen, president and CEO, Gefen Inc. "If a building is already wired with one CAT-5 cable, installers can tap into the existing infrastructure at a shorter distance and avoid new cable runs. But with one CAT-6 cable, this system will streamline the installation even further and extend the range of extension."
The Gefen Extender for HDMI v1.3 over one CAT-6 works with all high-definition devices available today, including set-top boxes and gaming systems, as well as flat-panel displays and projectors using the HDMI format. Support for HDCP compliance ensures it will work with protected content on Blu-rays and other DVD devices.
Its small form factor (each box measures just one-inch high by three-inches wide) further improves the installation process by eliminating bulky equipment in the viewing area. It comes with two external power supplies and a set of wall mounting brackets.
For more information, visit www.gefen.com.
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PreSonus FireStudio Mobile Ten-Input, Six-Output Interface |
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The new FireStudio Mobile ten-input, six-output interface, delivers professional-quality audio, rugged construction, generous feature set, and affordability. Its convenient, lightweight, compact form is designed for portable recording rigs and small studios. Part of PreSonus's FireStudio series of FireWire 400 interfaces, the Firestudio Mobile features eight analog inputs, the most analog inputs in the smallest chassis of any recording interface on the market, according to the company.
Powered from the FireWire bus or using the included 12 VDC adapter, the FireStudio Mobile is built to withstand the rigors of travel. You can simply place it on a tabletop or screw it onto any standard 19-inch rack tray. Just slip the FireStudio Mobile and a FireWire cable into your Mac or Windows PC laptop case, add a microphone or two, and you're ready to record wherever you go.
The FireStudio Mobile is compatible with any ASIO- or Core Audio-compliant audio application for Mac OS X or Windows XP/Vista and integrates tightly with PreSonus Studio One Artist recording and production software, which is included.
The front panel features a pair of combination XLR/TS mic/instrument jacks, which are in the inputs for channels one and two. The XLR mic inputs are routed to PreSonus XMAX solid-state mic preamplifiers producing high-quality sound and high headroom. The high-impedance, TS instrument inputs let you plug guitars or basses directly into the front panel. All signals are converted to and from the digital domain using premium-quality, 24-bit, 96 kHz A/D/A converters, which offer 118 dB of dynamic range.
A pair of three-LED level/clip indicators let you check the signal levels for channels one and two, and a button enables 48V phantom power for the two mic channels. Also on the front panel are a stereo headphone output with gain knob and gain knobs for the two mic/instrument inputs and for the main stereo outputs. Gain for the mic inputs ranges from –10 dB to +70 dB; the high-impedance instrument inputs range from -30 dB to +50 dB of gain. Finally, a power/sync indicator LED shows whether the FireStudio Mobile is receiving adequate power and is correctly receiving word clock.
The rear panel sports balanced TRS line-level inputs for channels three through eight, as well as impedance-balanced TRS left and right main outputs. A DB9 connector accepts a breakout cable (included) that provides stereo S/PDIF digital I/O and MIDI I/O. You get two FireWire 400 ports: one FireWire port connects to your computer, and the other can be used to connect a hard drive or to daisy-chain any FireStudio-family interface, including the StudioLive 16.4.2 digital mixer. A barrel connector for the 12 VDC power adapter completes the rear panel.
Like other FireStudio-family interfaces, FireStudio Mobile contains a software router/mixer that enables you to create a custom low-latency cue mix. The mixer can be controlled using PreSonus Universal Control control-panel software or from within PreSonus Studio One recording and production software.
The FireStudio Mobile is bundled with additional software featuring PreSonus Universal Control, which enables custom cue mixing and routing, and PreSonus Studio One Artist, the new DAW software for Mac OS X and Windows XP and Vista that makes producing high-quality projects easier than ever before.
As part of the Studio One Artist package, you get 20 new PreSonus Native Effects plug-ins and virtual instruments. The effects include EQs, a compressor, reverbs, and much more. The PreSonus VIs include the SampleOne sampler, Presence sample player, Impact sample-trigger/drum instrument, and Mojito subtractive synth. You also get 32 Ueberschall drum kits for Impact; 200 Digital Sound Factory sampled instruments for Presence; Native Instruments Kore Player, with 150 instruments; Native Instruments Guitar Rig LE; Toontrack EZDrummer Lite; and nearly 1,400 drum loops (1.4 GB) by Bandmate Loops.
Roadworthy, full featured, and attractive, the FireStudio Mobile delivers premium audio quality for an expected U.S. street price of $299. The FireStudio Mobile will be available in September 2009 from authorized PreSonus dealers.
For more information, please visit www.presonus.com.
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Shure X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter |
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Shure's X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter is now shipping and is available by itself or in bundles with either the SM57 or SM58 microphones.
"Over the past several years, more and more musicians, both professional and amateur, have taken recording into their own hands at home, on the road, in their bedroom, basement, tour bus…wherever," says Chad Wiggins, Shure's Category Manager for Wired Microphones. "With this new product, we're bringing the legendary heritage of Shure microphones to every level of performer and home recording artist as the proliferation of digital recording continues."
The X2u Adapter is a modular accessory that connects any XLR microphone to a computer to create better-than-CD quality recordings. As home recording flourishes, the X2u redefines what musicians and podcasters can do in their homes and on the go. The X2u mimics the sleek, beautiful design of Shure's iconic SM57 and SM58 microphones and can be used unobtrusively for live and in-studio recording.
The X2u's unique features include USB "Plug and Play" Connectivity which enables the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer can go (compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X 10.1 or above). The integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control allows precise control of input signal level to prevent overload of the analog-to-digital converter. Zero Latency Monitoring enables real-time playback and facilitates multi-tracking with no disorientating echo. The Headphone Jack allows monitoring with standard 1/8" connectivity. Monitor Mix Control for blending microphone and playback audio. 48-volt Phantom Power ensures compatibility with all condenser microphones.
The X2u Signal Adapter carries a two-year limited warranty and can be purchased at select retail partners or on www.shure.com.
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