Magness sound have had a long relationship with St Mary of the Angels and were approached to deliver a sound and vision system that could improve the speech intelligibility for this large, acoustically challenging space. It was also very important that the aesthetic of the building was maintained. The third notable criteria was that control of the system should be very simple to operate.
Peter Magness of Magness Sound generated a 3D Model of the building and used Bose Modeler software to acoustically model the performance of various speaker options. Taking various aspects of the venue into consideration it became clear very quickly that the Bose MA12EX speakers were going to work very well in this venue.
The Modeling process involved designing a scale model of the building within the software including all the surface acoustic properties to give an accurate understanding of how sounds at different frequencies are going to interact with the environment. The model was then used to trial various speaker types in different locations to achieve the best outcome. After a series of trials (and following our intuition) the MA12EX was selected and the coverage diagram below demonstrates the predicted performance within St Mary of the Angels.
Bose Modeller was also used to audition the system at various locations chosen by the system designer, as demonstrated by the diagrams below. This data gives a detailed view of the frequency response for any chosen listening position, the listener can be placed at any height and the size and dispersion of the congregation can be changed to assist with predicting system performance for smaller and larger attendances
The STI (speech transmission index) is a critical tool that our designers use in Modeller to measure speech transmission quality. In reverberant buildings such as St Mary of the Angels, speech intelligibility is a major challenge, as the reverberant sound lingers and competes with the direct sound from the speakers. Using professional Bose products enabled Magness Sound to optimise the system for speech intelligibility.
The Bose MA12EX is an aesthetically pleasing speaker that works so well in such a beautiful building. The exceptional vertical pattern control reducesearly reflections whichminimises interactions with room surfaces.
The MA12EX are also designed to be stacked which increases thethrow of the speaker element.With a frequency response down to 58Hz a rich full sound is achieved efficiently from a minimum of speaker locations.
Being available in black, white and custom colours it is a very discrete solution for houses of worship.
The design for St Mary of the Angels includes:
Stacked Bose MA12EX at the front of the chapel.Complementary single Bose MA12EX to provide controlled coverage to the back pews.
Bose DS40SE speakers for the Choir Loft
Bose DS16SE Speakers for the Altar Foldback
System control is via a custom programmed Bose CC64 Wall plate Controller.
The Video System consists NEC Projector and Kramer Switching/Distribution System, the motorised screen is manufactured by Screen Technics in Australia. Vision control is integrated into the Bose CC64
Ampetronic Hearing augmentation amplifier drives the under-floor induction loop.
Hearing Augmentationhas a requirement to not only meet the building code but also to ensure all church goers can clearly hear the service. Hearing loop systems can be particularly challenging in buildings with lots of steel reinforcing, as in the case of the renovated St Mary of the Angels. Magness Sound, using their in depth experience, designed a figure “8” loop system for St Marys of Angels to provide the coverage throughout the Nave, using special DirectBurial Cabling designed for installation into the concrete pour, and driven by Ampetronic speciality loop driving amplifier.
Magness Sound used the services of Wellington based Audio Workshop to assist with the installation of this system. Matt and his team are renowned for the quality of their workmanship and once more they exceeded all expectations.Completing of this install was to the highest standards and to a very tight schedule to get the system ready for re-opening before the Easter weekend.
The huge earthquake re-strengthening project undertaken by St Mary of the Angels church provided a perfect opportunity to offer a completely new AV design. The installation of new input points, cable, revised speaker positions and hardware have seen a complete design overhaul of the system. This was a great project to be involved in. A historic Wellington building given a new life. A great sound and vision system and a very happy client!
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