LVPR_BethelTemple

Renovated East Coast Megachurch Solves Audio Distribution Challenges with LightViper™ Fiber Optic Audio System

Systems design and integration company deploys LightViper™ fiber optic audio transport systems in unique “domed” hi-tech worship facility in Hampton, Virginia —

121st AES CONVENTION, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 6, 2006 — FiberPlex, Inc., the leading professional audio fiber optic supplier to the systems contracting and sound production industry, announced that its LightViper™ fiber optic digital audio transport systems have been deployed in the recently renovated Bethel Temple church in Hampton, Virginia. Megachurch Bethel Temple is an expansive 2,200 seat, dome-covered worship venue. Audio Analysts, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, handled the design and systems integration for the recently updated East coast Protestant church.

Robert Langlois, Systems Engineer and V.P. of Worship Design for Audio Analysts, described two of the unique design challenges his firm encountered during the church’s renovations:

“Bethel presented us with a set of difficult design hurdles. Not only did we have to contend with a large domed space — a very difficult acoustic environment — we also had a very restricted load limit for mounting the speaker arrays. In addition, there were the problems of handling very long cable runs to the amplifiers as well as even longer runs to the microphone inputs from the stage-to-FOH and a broadcast booth.

Langlois explained:

“For the speakers, we specified a JBL VRX system for its unique constant curvature design as well as its low weight and high output. For all microphone inputs we chose two LightViper 1832 fiber optic transport systems for a total of 64 audio channels. One of the system’s two ‘splits’ will be used for future remote recordings while the other goes straight into the venue’s upstairs broadcast room. The signal runs were nearly 600 feet so the LightViper was a ‘no brainer’ choice.

“We are also using the LightViper 1808 fiber ‘drive system’ so the entire system remains digital — right to the amps; the system’s drive is all digital AES/EBU from the Yamaha M7CL digital mixer. Because we were already using a fiber snake, the mixer itself is brought to a whole new level of performance. The mixer sounds like a much more expensive desk with the LightViper snake in front of it. The combination is perfect for what they do and also allows the staff to store settings for entirely different praise teams.”

Editor’s Technical Notes:

LightViper’s fiber optic cable offers total signal path isolation between both stage and mixer as well as between the mixer and power amplification; the cable is totally immune to ground loops, RFI, EMI and electromechanical noise, and runs of up to 1 1/4 miles (6,600 feet) can be easily accomplished without signal loss or degradation.

FiberPlex includes a limited lifetime warranty with all of its LightViper system components.

10840-412 Guilford Rd, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701• Phone: 301-604-0100 • Fax: 301-604-0773