audio and video system upgraded at Fulwood Christ Church

Full upgrade of the audio and video systems at Christ Church in Fulwood

Enhancing Worship with Advanced Audio and Video Systems

Christ Church in Fulwood dates to 1837 and has seen several updates in the last two centuries. Prior to Covid, the church secured funding for a comprehensive makeover including extensive upgrades to the audio and video systems.

The projects main aims were to improve the welcome, flexibility and accessibility of the building. Live streaming became an essential part of church services during the pandemic and was something the church were keen to expand on. The services include a full live band so an audio system that could deliver anything from the spoken word to a fully mixed rock sound was part of the project specification.

The Church approached several potential contractors, with Solotech’s Church install specialist supplying the most cost effective and innovative solution.

“Wigwam were already known to us having worked with other churches in our diocese. Their proposal took account of our budget and gave us the best system with flexibility to expand in the future.”

Ben Shaw – Music Minister at Christ Church

The church at Fulwood is a historic building, requiring us to work with the Diocese throughout the installation process. We have a vast wealth of experience working on listed buildings including such national treasures as Liverpool Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral and more recently York Minster. We produced designs and solutions that would deliver on the brief of excellent audio and video quality, whilst remaining sympathetic to the building.

Advanced Audio System Installation and Configuration

At the heart of the audio system is a QSC Q-Sys Core 110F providing digital signal processing and routing with a DS10 network bridge distributing and controlling the signals to four d&b audiotechnik amplifiers. Mounted on the pillars either side of the chancel are a pair of d&b Yi10P loudspeakers with a pair of floor standing Bi6 subwoofers below. Throughout the congregation, additional d&b 5S and 8S loudspeakers have been mounted to provide even audio coverage throughout while remaining discrete.

As part of the audio package, we installed an Allen & Heath Avantis digital mixing console with three Allen & Heath dLive DX168 remote digital stage boxes to handle the multiple inputs and mix the live bands, audio playback and spoken word. In addition we provided a microphone and input package including four channels of wireless and Radial DI equipment.

Video Distribution and On-Line Solution

Central to the video system within the church is a 3.5 m wide electrically controlled projection screen that can be winched down from the ceiling to display live or recorded images from a Panasonic EB-PU2010 projector. In addition, several screens have been installed around the building to ensure everyone present has a clear view of the service at all times.

Cameras supplied as part of the package included a Panasoninc AW-UE70 Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera and a Black Magic 4K Studio Pro. Distribution, video switching and online streaming is via a Black Magic Video Smarthub and ATEM 1 Production Studio.

“We now have a great sounding system that provides excellent coverage throughout. We’re delivering more video content of a higher quality than ever before. Since we reopened, the response from our congregation has been really positive. The service we received throughout from Wigwam has been excellent leading to a fantastic solution that will last us for many years to come.”

Ben Shaw