Biamp audio technology recently helped River Valley Church transform an unopened 38,000-square-foot casino in Grants Pass, Oregon, into an 800-seat worship facility. Working closely with the Biamp design team, systems integration firm Arrow+Jay deployed Community loudspeakers with Biamp VenuePolar technology within the Ease Focus 3 software to overcome significant acoustic challenges and improve sound quality throughout the expansive sanctuary.
"This space demanded a sophisticated approach to acoustic design," says Brian Engle, Systems Designer, Arrow+Jay. "The combination of reflective surfaces and architectural constraints meant we needed precise control over every aspect of the sound field. VenuePolar technology gave us the tools to model, predict, and optimize the system before installation, ensuring we could deliver pristine audio quality while preserving the visual aesthetics the church required."
The conversion project presented unique obstacles, including extensive glass surfaces, highly reflective materials, limited mounting height, and critical sightlines that restricted loudspeaker placement options.
At the heart of the system are four Community LVH-906/APB and two LVH-909/APB steerable venue horns, strategically positioned for coverage across the sanctuary. “These advanced loudspeakers leverage Biamp proprietary steerable array technology to deliver focused, uniform sound distribution throughout the worship space,” according to the release.
The system is complemented by Community IP8-1122/66B and IC6-1082/96B point source loudspeakers to provide supplemental coverage throughout the facility, while Community IS8-218B subwoofers deliver the low-frequency impact required for contemporary worship services and special events.
Arrow+Jay also utilized the VenuePolar plugin for EASE Focus 3, from Biamp, which allows consultants and integrators to design custom asymmetric coverage patterns for the LVH-900 through a guided software experience. VenuePolar determines the number of LVH cabinets required, splay between them, and array aiming angles. FIRmaker allows designers to create an unlimited number of coverage variations, then VenuePolar applies equalization and creates custom speaker files for deployment in Biamp ALC amplifiers.
The system also includes an avoidance zone targeting the stage area in the FIR steering algorithm, preventing sound energy emanating from the main loudspeaker system to reach the stage. “This innovative approach results in stunning gain-before-feedback (GBF) performance, empowering worship leaders and musicians to perform with confidence and clarity without interference from the house system,” the release continues.
“River Valley Church now enjoys exceptional speech intelligibility, even coverage throughout the sanctuary, and remarkable freedom from acoustic feedback on stage,” says Joe Andrulis, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, Biamp. “The system delivers consistent sound quality to every seat while maintaining the clean, unobtrusive aesthetic the church envisioned. The scalable Biamp ecosystem also ensures River Valley Church can expand and adapt its audio capabilities as needs evolve.”
"The difference is night and day," says Michael Bahn, Executive Pastor, River Valley Church. "Our congregation can focus on worship without distraction, and our production team has the tools they need to create powerful, immersive experiences every week."
For more information, visit www.biamp.com.
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