Installation

Church sound system installation

Clear speech, natural music and systems volunteers can run — designed from measurement, installed with respect for the building, supported through faculty approval.

Churches & places of worship

30 years of church sound

The Sound Analysts team has 30 years' experience in designing and installing sound systems in churches of all sizes and denominations, and our projects team has been behind some very high-profile installations.

In 2014, MD Andy Callin collected an award on behalf of clients for the Best Installed Sound Project at the Pro Sound News Awards for the new auditorium sound system in the Royal Albert Hall. It's not size that matters though — it's about getting the right solution for the job, whether that is a village church with a single lectern microphone or a large worship space with a band, video and live streaming.

We provide professional advice on all aspects of installed PA and hearing assistive systems, guiding clients through the myriad of choices, using our experience to provide the best value and the solution that delivers the best listening experience.

Installed sound system in an ornate church

What a church system has to get right

Every building is different, but the problems are familiar.

Intelligible speech

Stone, glass and high ceilings produce long reverberation that smears words. Loudspeaker choice and placement are chosen from measurements of the actual room so that speech is clear in every pew, not just the front rows.

Music as well as words

Organ, choir, worship band or playback each need different handling. The system is designed for everything the building is used for, including concerts, weddings and funerals.

Radio microphones that behave

Most churches rely on radio systems for the spoken word, yet many contend with poor sound quality, reception and interference. Hardware rationalisation and proper aerial management make a huge difference.

Simple to operate

Volunteers run most church systems. We set systems up so that normal services need no adjustment, with a tablet or simple wall controller for the people who do want control.

Discreet in a historic building

Loudspeakers colour-matched to stonework, cable routes agreed with the architect, and no permanent harm to the fabric of a listed building.

Hearing loops that work

A church has a legal duty to provide for hearing-aid users. We design, install and certify loops as part of the system — see hearing loop installation.

System upgrades

Not every church needs a new system

As in all technology sectors, the design and functionality of sound systems is constantly evolving. Not everyone requires a total replacement system, so we'll often upgrade specific parts as required — which can breathe new life into older equipment.

Currently the most popular upgrade for smaller systems is replacing analogue control equipment (the mixer, graphic equaliser, compressor and so on) with a single digital unit, linked to a hardwired controller or iPad over a local WiFi network. Existing loudspeakers and cabling are kept wherever they are still doing their job.

If you are unsure whether you need an upgrade or a replacement, a survey will tell you: we measure what the current system actually delivers before recommending anything.

Faculty, DAC and listed-building approval

We handle the paperwork that comes with church work.

Survey and specification

A site visit and acoustic measurement, followed by a written specification that a PCC or DAC can read and compare.

Faculty support

Complete support through faculty and approval processes for listed and church buildings — drawings, equipment schedules and method statements in the form the Diocesan Advisory Committee expects.

Installation and commissioning

Installation planned around services and events, then measured commissioning, loop certification and training for the people who will use the system week to week.