Upgrading to an Allen & Heath Avantis at Westwood Community Church
By Jake Gosselin
In our latest project at Westwood Community Church in Minnesota, we had the exciting opportunity to upgrade their mixing console solution to the Allen & Heath Avantis, paired with Waves SuperRack. This project represents phase one of a broader plan to overhaul their audio systems and improve their worship experience. Let’s dive into what we did and why this upgrade was a game-changer for their team.
The Challenge: Outdated Equipment and Complex Signal Routing
Before working with us, Westwood was running on two Yamaha M7CL consoles: one for front-of-house and one for broadcast. These consoles had served them for years but were no longer meeting the team’s needs. The system was plagued with:
- Complex and unreliable stage I/O configurations.
- Analog signal routing that was difficult to troubleshoot.
- Tired hardware that limited their flexibility and workflow.
They needed a streamlined solution that would work for both front-of-house mixing and their live stream.
The Upgrade: Allen & Heath Avantis with Waves SuperRack
We replaced both M7CL consoles with the Allen & Heath Avantis, configured to handle both front-of-house and broadcast mixes. This solution includes:
- Avantis Mixing Console: A modern, intuitive console with incredible processing power and flexibility.
- Waves SuperRack Server: Allowing real-time plugin processing to enhance the mix.
- Dante Integration: Providing seamless audio networking and track playback via Dante Virtual Soundcard.
Stage I/O: Simplified and Modernized
To complement the new console, we revamped their stage rack setup with modern I/O solutions:
- Allen & Heath GX4816 Stage Box: Streamlining input and output configurations.
- Lowell Rack: Housing all the necessary hardware in a sturdy, compact footprint.
- PSM900 & PSM300 In-Ear Monitors: Providing wireless monitoring for musicians.
- ME1 Personal Mixers: Offering flexibility for backline and frontline musicians.
This setup eliminates the headaches caused by the previous analog system and makes weekly setup and troubleshooting a breeze.
Dante Integration for Prime Tracks
Westwood’s new setup includes Dante Virtual Soundcard to connect the Loop Community Prime app with their Avantis console. This allows for:
- Effortless track integration: Stereo and mono outputs are routed directly to the console over the network.
- Streamlined workflow: A single network cable connects the Prime app to the stage rack, offering clean and efficient signal flow.
Virtual Soundcheck with Live Tracks
We also implemented a virtual soundcheck solution using Harrison Audio’s Live Tracks app. This $15 app, paired with Avantis’ MIDI integration, allows the team to:
- Run multitracks for practice without the need for live musicians.
- Experiment with plugins and mix adjustments in real-time.
This affordable yet powerful tool ensures the team can refine their mix and stay prepared for Sunday services.
Looking Ahead: More Upgrades to Come
While the new mixing console and stage rack are a huge step forward, this is just the beginning for Westwood. Future phases include:
- New PA System: The current speakers are over a decade old and in need of replacement to improve sonic quality.
- Acoustic Treatment: Additional panels and clouds will reduce reverb and enhance clarity.
- Rack Cleanup: Streamlining and modernizing their back-of-house equipment to reduce cable clutter and improve reliability.
Why This Matters
This phased approach allows Westwood to tackle its biggest challenges first while planning for long-term improvements. It’s a flexible solution that meets their immediate needs and lays the groundwork for a comprehensive upgrade.
Start Your Church’s Tech Journey
If your church is considering an upgrade to its mixing console or audio systems, we’d love to help! Whether it’s a small adjustment or a full-scale overhaul, Churchfront can provide the expertise and support you need. Visit churchfront.com/apply to get started.
