Hey guys, Jake Gosselin here from Churchfront, and I’m excited to share the behind-the-scenes details of our latest audio, visual, and lighting install at Radiant Church in Owatonna, Minnesota. This project was a complete transformation of their 200-seat sanctuary. The goal was to update everything from acoustics and audio to lighting and video systems, creating a clean yet powerful setup that is perfectly suited for the church’s needs.
Acoustic Treatment
The acoustic treatment in this space was essential. Radiant Church upgraded from DIY insulation panels to Primeacoustic’s Broadway Panels. These two-by-four-foot linen panels were installed to minimize reverb, particularly low-end rumble. The improvement is immediately noticeable, giving the space a cleaner sound without losing the natural feel of a live room. Special thanks to Corey, the church’s super volunteer, for installing these panels himself in just a couple of days.
New PA System
One of the biggest upgrades was the new Fulcrum PA System. Radiant Church’s old system was over 20 years old, and it was time for an overhaul. We replaced it with Fulcrum DX 1565 speakers, which offer excellent coverage in the room. These compact speakers feature Fulcrum’s coaxial technology, giving the space balanced and crisp sound that’s easy to mix. The subs, Fulcrum Acoustic Sub 215L, provide incredible low-end power despite their compact size. It’s amazing how much sound can come from such a small footprint!
We also added Fulcrum RX 699 speakers for the lobby, and I can confidently say that this is one of the best-sounding lobbies I’ve ever heard! Having high-quality sound in the lobby ensures everyone, even outside the sanctuary, can hear the sermon clearly.
Equipment Rack and Sequencing
Let’s talk about the heart of the system—the equipment racks. We installed two 44U racks, which offer plenty of room for future expansion. Inside these racks, we have a combination of old and new equipment. Highlights include:
- Allen & Heath MEU Hub: This controls their ME-500 personal monitor mixing system, providing clean stereo mixes for all musicians.
- Allen & Heath SQ-5 Mixing Console: Compact yet powerful, this mixer provides up to 48 inputs, giving the church room to grow.
- Powersoft Amplifiers: These control both the main speakers and subs, with tuning done via Armonía Plus software over the Dante network.
Our team also paid close attention to cable management, ensuring everything is organized and easy to maintain. We installed Lowell Sequencers for simple on/off controls of the entire system, accessible both at the equipment rack and from the sound booth.
Lighting Upgrades
The lighting system at Radiant Church saw significant improvements as well. We installed Pro Church Lights Pro Washes for the front wash and Pro Kicks for stage accents. These lights provide bright, even coverage for both in-person attendees and those watching online. We also added Pro Church Lights Pendants, DMX-controllable house lights that allow the church to extend the lighting design into the congregation. These pendants are perfect for setting the right ambiance during worship.
Video and Camera Systems
For video, we installed two PTZ Optics Move SE cameras, making it simple to capture high-quality live streams. These cameras are controlled via web browser, but the church also has the option to add a joystick for more precise control. We connected everything to a Blackmagic ATEM Video Switcher, making it easy to switch between different camera angles and video sources.
The system is rounded out with confidence monitors, a projector, and feeds going to different areas like the green room and the nursing mother’s room. All of this ensures that wherever people are in the building, they can engage with the service.
The Tech Booth and Volunteer Space
Radiant Church invested in a new tech booth that not only looks great with its stonework and wood finishes, but it’s also highly functional. Volunteers now have a dedicated space to manage audio, video, and lighting, with all key systems centralized for easy communication.
Final Thoughts
The transformation at Radiant Church was a collaborative effort between our team and the incredible volunteers at the church. It’s so rewarding to see how this space will now better serve the community, hosting worship services and other events that will impact lives for years to come. If you’re considering upgrading your church’s AVL systems, reach out to us at ChurchFront.com, and we’ll be happy to help guide you through the process.
