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June 2003 Table of Contents
Tech Talk
with Brad Herring
Electro-Voice recently released their new EVID ceiling speaker. This speaker system is designed for any ceiling speaker application. While seemingly pricey at first glance, after you realize that it is a complete kit–including back-can, speaker, grill, attenuator, ceiling mount bars, cutting template, and paint-cover–the price is really quite reasonable.
We experienced some minor installation problems–the mounting screw closest to the attenuator always seemed to strip. Purchasing more rugged screws at the local hardware store solved this problem. Overall we found the installation rather simple.
The speakers have a molex style connector that utilizes 4 small set screws. This makes for easy wiring–especially when wiring in parallel with other speakers. There is also a light-bulb wired inside that is designed to take over-voltage spikes and protect the speaker.
The sound quality is incredible. With good full-range music and quality vocal reproduction this speaker is top of it’s pack. Available in 2 sizes (a 4” and 8” model) as well as a modified 8” model that acts like a horn (designed for higher ceiling applications), you will find a speaker fitting almost any of your ceiling needs. There is also a subwoofer available if you desire to truly round out the frequency response. We have found the subwoofer not 100% necessary for the 8” speaker, but we’d recommend them for the little brother. These speakers are sold in pairs. The standard 8” speaker has a list price of $318/pr, the 4” lists at $238/pr., and the subwoofer lists for $478/pr. We find the street price to be considerably less, but differing from reseller to reseller. Overall Tech Rating: 4/5
I’ve used the Sabine FBX 2020+ in the field for several years. As a rule, I do not like feedback filters. They adjust the Eq structure and adjust your mix–all while completely out of your control. The FBX 2020+ was different. It really does take such a small notch there is virtually no detectable difference.
I primarily use them in monitor mixes–especially in church. They help fight the pesky feedback issues we are always fighting with these systems. A well-designed feedback eliminator can do wonders for keeping us out of trouble in secondary mixes. This particular unit can also be helpful on the main mix as well. When it finds feedback it truly removes such a small amount of frequency it doesn’t corrupt the overall sound you are trying to achieve.
Now this is not a cheap unit–especially when compared to other lower end units, but the price is worth it. Remember the old saying–you get what you pay for. This could not be truer when it comes to feedback eliminators.
The Sabine FBX 2020+ is a stereo unit. This means you get two channels of feedback elimination. With 12 filters per channel you will find a significant increase in gain before feedback. The FBX also allows dynamic as well as static filters. What does this mean? Static filters are the ones you set during sound check. They find the offending frequencies and adjust them out of your mix. Dynamic filters are used real time. During the live-mix, if the Sabine FBX 2020+ detects feedback it’ll grab it and suppress it. Once it reaches the end of the dynamic filters it will cycle back to the first one that it used. The factory default allows for 9 static and 3 dynamic filters, but the user can change this to their desire. Overall tech rating: 5/5
Stewart Amplifiers offer a lot of bang for relatively little buck. We recently tested the Stewart World 2.1 amplifier in a real world environment. We were quite impressed. The unit is only 2 rack spaces high and weighs 17 pounds. This amplifier can really crank out a good amount of power while not sacrificing clarity. This unit delivers 2100 watts into 4 ohms when bridged to mono, or 650 watts per side at 4 ohms. This amplifier can truly hold it’s own. Perhaps the best part of it all is that it sells on the street for an average price of $850.
The manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty so you can have peace of mind. We spoke with rental houses using this amplifier and they tell us the unit holds up great to the road. Overall tech rating: 5/5
For more information and additional ministry resources visit: www.churchproductionresources.com
MinistryThoughts
The past couple of months I’ve been on the road and I keep hearing the same question from many of you: “How do I recruit people for our technical ministries?” It seems that many of us are trying to find people to run our sound, video, and lighting support ministries, but with little success. Here are some thoughts I have onfinding people to serve in ministry:
- Pray. Ask God to provide people for these positions and trust him to deliver people to you. Ask Him to give you discernment to recognize those with talents and giftings that would make them suitable for service in these areas.
- Individually seek out people within your flock. One on one relationships are always best for getting people involved in ministry.
- Make public announcements while highlighting the fun and educational aspects.
- Seek people with hearts of servitude and a strong base in their faith–after all, they will be a leader within your church structure.
- Don’t overwork or abuse your current workers! If everyone sees your people working themselves crazy no one is going to want to serve in that area of ministry–including those that are currently doing it! Make sure to encourage those working for you already and work hard at minimizing the hours they put in.
Industry News:
Sabine is announcing a new wireless microphone SWM7000: This new microphone operates at 2.4Ghz - allowing it to work around the world. With built in features such as feedback eliminators, virtual microphone matching, and de-essing filters, and compression this unit has great promise for houses of worship. Visit the Sabine website for more information: www.sabine.com
For the studio and post-production facilities in our church Yamaha releases the DM1000 automated digital mixing console. This console was announced this year at NAB. It has features such as built-in surround sound processing. According to Yamaha, this unit is designed to work seamlessly with common audio editing software such as DigiDesign ProTools®, Steinberg Nuendo® and E-Magic’s Logic Audio. This unit boasts 40 channels of audio and fits in a standard 19” rack. For more information visit the Yamaha professional sound website at: yamaha.com.
SHURE continues to please it’s customers with the BETA 54 headset microphone. This headset microphone offers excellent vocal reproduction with a nearly invisible profile. The BETA 54 is a good solution for low-visible requirements as well as multi-microphone feedback control. By placing the microphone so near to the mouth it is less susceptible to feedback. Read more at shure.com.
Since 1992 Brad Herring has worked in professional theater in the areas of sound, lighting, and stage management. In 1997 he created CI Entertainment, Inc.,, a company with a focus on designing and installing sound systems for churches and theaters nationwide. In 2001 the priorities of CI Entertainment, Inc. began to shift as the company became more of a ministry-resource company.
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