I’m Jake Gosselin, and I’m excited to share the details of our recent project at Pinal County Cowboy Church. This unique church, with its blend of traditional Baptist values and cowboy culture (yes, they even hold rodeos in the parking lot!), presented us with an incredible opportunity to transform their worship space. We were brought in to handle the AVL (Audio, Visual, and Lighting) integration for their new sanctuary expansion, which now accommodates up to 500 people.
Collaboration and Planning
Our journey with Pinal County Cowboy Church started a few years ago when their worship pastor, Steve Dokka, joined our Churchfront Accelerator Program for coaching and courses. As the church grew, they knew it was time for a larger integration project, and we were thrilled to partner with them on this expansion.
Acoustic Treatment and Sound System
One of the first things we tackled was the acoustic treatment. We installed Primacoustic two-foot by four-foot wall panels in a linen finish. These panels not only look great, complementing the room’s gray neutral tones, but they also play a crucial role in controlling the room’s acoustics, ensuring a clean and clear sound environment.
For the sound system, we went with Fulcrum Acoustic, starting with the subwoofers—four dual 18-inch subwoofers spread across the stage to provide even low-frequency coverage throughout the room. Although we would have preferred to fly the subwoofers, structural limitations required us to place them on the ground, which worked out well.
We also installed three front-fill speakers to ensure that the first few rows of attendees received balanced sound coverage. The main speaker system includes a 15-inch coaxial speaker in the center and two 12-inch coaxial speakers on the left and right, all from Fulcrum Acoustic. This setup provides excellent coverage across the entire room.
Rack System and Network Integration
The backbone of any AVL system is the rack build, and we were fortunate to have a spacious rack room to work with at Pinal County. We deployed two 44-unit Lowell racks, equipped with Powersoft amps for the subs, mains, and front fills. These amps are connected via Dante, allowing easy configuration and control over the network.
For the mixing console, we upgraded the church from an Allen & Heath QU system to the Allen & Heath SQ7, paired with a 48-16 digital snake and an MEU hub for stage monitoring. This upgrade brings them into the digital realm of mixing, with all inputs neatly routed and managed through the digital snake.
We also installed the Shure ULXD4Q wireless microphone system, which integrates seamlessly with the Dante network. This setup allows for easy management and monitoring of RF signals and audio, reducing the need to constantly check on the rack room during services.
Lighting and Visuals
Lighting is crucial for creating the right atmosphere, both in person and on the live stream. We installed six Pro Church Lights ProWash Max fixtures and four kick lights, providing a simple yet effective lighting setup that enhances the overall worship experience.
For visuals, the church opted for large 75-85 inch TV screens, a cost-effective solution for displaying ProPresenter content, including lyric slides, sermon notes, and videos. However, I can’t help but imagine how amazing an Altitude LED wall would look on that back wall someday!
Broadcast and Control
Pinal County’s broadcast setup is equally impressive. They use Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras—6K Pro for close-ups and 4K for wide-angle shots—ensuring high-quality visuals for their live stream. In the broadcast control room, we set up an ATEM Constellation for video switching and a Mac Mini server running ProPresenter and Lightkey software. The entire system is designed for easy remote access, allowing us to troubleshoot and assist the church team as needed.
In summary, the project at Pinal County Cowboy Church was a comprehensive AVL integration that transformed their worship experience. From the acoustic treatment to the sound system, lighting, and broadcast setup, every detail was meticulously planned and executed. If you’re considering a similar project for your church, we’d love to partner with you. Just reach out to us at Churchfront.com, and let’s dream together about what’s possible for your space.
