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Tech Director, Chuck Mayo Talks About Their Experience With Signature Sight & Sound
AUDIO
Can you describe the quality of the audio?
After moving into our new facility, our people started telling us that this is the first time since coming to the church that they can understand what the pastor is saying. They can hear the speaking clearly.
Regarding the music audio, people never realized how bad it was before. Now it sounds so good! The congregation is very, very pleased with the quality of the sound.
How easy to use is the iLive-T console?
Adapting to the system has been a lot easier than we initially thought it would be. At first we were nervous at the thought of going from analog to digital, but the training that Sterling Coleman gave immediately put us at ease. Now our technicians feel very comfortable operating the console, they say it's a piece of cake.
In September, we'll be hosting the group Rush of Fools. The concert promoter looked at our new system and told us it would be perfect for them. We won't have to rent any gear, and the band won't have to bring anything but their guitars and amps. It was an awesome feeling to hear that
Can you describe the quality of the audio?
After moving into our new facility, our people started telling us that this is the first time since coming to the church that they can understand what the pastor is saying. They can hear the speaking clearly.
Regarding the music audio, people never realized how bad it was before. Now it sounds so good! The congregation is very, very pleased with the quality of the sound.
How easy to use is the iLive-T console?
Adapting to the system has been a lot easier than we initially thought it would be. At first we were nervous at the thought of going from analog to digital, but the training that Sterling Coleman gave immediately put us at ease. Now our technicians feel very comfortable operating the console, they say it's a piece of cake.
In September, we'll be hosting the group Rush of Fools. The concert promoter looked at our new system and told us it would be perfect for them. We won't have to rent any gear, and the band won't have to bring anything but their guitars and amps. It was an awesome feeling to hear that
VIDEO & LIGHTING
Can you speak to the quality of the video?
The first time we walked into the new worship center and turned on a video, it was amazing. If you didn't see the beam of the projector cutting through the haze, you would think it was rear projection -- it's that bright and excellent quality.
The images are very crisp,
there's no trouble reading words/lyrics, it's very bright.
Tell us about the Jands Vista lighting controller.
The Jands Vista is so much fun to experiment with, you're only limited by your creativity. After training by Scott Miller, we found it very easy to use, very intuitive, just point and click.
Before we moved into our new facility, we were in a multi-purpose gym and only had the gym lights. They were either off or on, no fades, nothing in between. To play a video, we had to either leave the lights on and then the video was difficult to see, or turn the lights off, and then wait two minutes for the lights to fire back up.
The theatrical lighting has really enhanced the worship experience. It helps create a mood for worship and keeps everyone's focus where it should be in the room. Our musicians also say it's so much easier to read the music under the blue LEDs than under traditional fixtures.
Can you speak to the quality of the video?
The first time we walked into the new worship center and turned on a video, it was amazing. If you didn't see the beam of the projector cutting through the haze, you would think it was rear projection -- it's that bright and excellent quality.
The images are very crisp,
there's no trouble reading words/lyrics, it's very bright.
Tell us about the Jands Vista lighting controller.
The Jands Vista is so much fun to experiment with, you're only limited by your creativity. After training by Scott Miller, we found it very easy to use, very intuitive, just point and click.
Before we moved into our new facility, we were in a multi-purpose gym and only had the gym lights. They were either off or on, no fades, nothing in between. To play a video, we had to either leave the lights on and then the video was difficult to see, or turn the lights off, and then wait two minutes for the lights to fire back up.
The theatrical lighting has really enhanced the worship experience. It helps create a mood for worship and keeps everyone's focus where it should be in the room. Our musicians also say it's so much easier to read the music under the blue LEDs than under traditional fixtures.
THE CONCEPT & EXPERIENCE
WORKING WITH SIGNATURE
Discuss the systems concept.
From day one of the construction project, our #1 goal was the ability for everyone in the room to see and hear. If they can't see the lyrics or video, if they can't hear the spoken word, they might as well not come to church.
Mark Gladden made that happen when he designed our systems. Visually, there is not a bad seat in the room. Regardless of where you sit, you can see at least one screen. The sound is wonderful, again, not a bad seat in the house.
Regarding stage layout and curtaining: Our dream was to have a multi-purpose theatrical stage. We wanted to have church and feel like church, but also the flexibility to do any kind of production or concert and feel like we're in a performing arts venue. We've been able to do that because of Mark's design, vision and expertise.
Early on in the process, the church had a big discussion: How do we go about being good stewards? We looked to Lifeway resources to learn the national average percentage of the total new construction budget for AVL.*
We were doing more than most Southern Baptist churches in regards to technical systems - more contemporary, intelligent lighting, etc., and still Signature came in below what we thought was reasonable. Possibly more importantly, then Signature stayed within or below the budget.
Our building project took approximately three years, and during that time, pieces of gear were modified or discontinued. Mark would call and say "This gear has been discontinued. You can save money and go with this equivalent model, or you can upgrade for 'X' dollars." Mark made sure we got equivalent or better gear if something was discontinued, and we always had an option of saving money if we chose to.
Describe your experience with Signature Sight & Sound.
Our relationship with the folks at Signature has developed into more of a friendship than a customer/client relationship.
From the first time I spoke to Mark, he got what we were trying to do, he understood the vision for the type of stage we wanted, that we were not going for the look or feel of a traditional downtown Charleston Southern Baptist church. Everything we did, he helped steer, but equally important, he listened and then provided feedback.
He was an excellent resource because of his background in AV. His experience gave us new and fresh ideas that I had not considered. Other times he said "I'm going to step back because it's not my place to say anything." There was a good mix between providing recommendations or suggestions, and saying "you've got it, run with it."
Mark could have easily charged us more money for revisions because of the many changes in architectural drawings over the course of time, but he was patient . . . his heart was in this project, and he wanted to see it succeed. He gave it a lot more than he had to. That shows a lot about his character.
Mark wasn't in it just for the money, or the job, or the check at the end of the project. He has a heart for helping chuches succeed, you can see that in his passion and what he did for us.
It is obvious that Sterling Coleman , Scott Miller and the install crew do their work as unto the Lord and they want to provide excellent quality. They actually did things that weren't technically part of their job, but they did it because it needed to be done, and they wanted the project to succeed and for God to get the glory.
Signature greatly exceeded our expectations in every way. It's way beyond anything I imagined. I had dreams and expectations, but the first time I got up on stage and walked around, I had chills.
I wouldn't change anything.
WORKING WITH SIGNATURE
Discuss the systems concept.
From day one of the construction project, our #1 goal was the ability for everyone in the room to see and hear. If they can't see the lyrics or video, if they can't hear the spoken word, they might as well not come to church.
Mark Gladden made that happen when he designed our systems. Visually, there is not a bad seat in the room. Regardless of where you sit, you can see at least one screen. The sound is wonderful, again, not a bad seat in the house.
Regarding stage layout and curtaining: Our dream was to have a multi-purpose theatrical stage. We wanted to have church and feel like church, but also the flexibility to do any kind of production or concert and feel like we're in a performing arts venue. We've been able to do that because of Mark's design, vision and expertise.
Early on in the process, the church had a big discussion: How do we go about being good stewards? We looked to Lifeway resources to learn the national average percentage of the total new construction budget for AVL.*
We were doing more than most Southern Baptist churches in regards to technical systems - more contemporary, intelligent lighting, etc., and still Signature came in below what we thought was reasonable. Possibly more importantly, then Signature stayed within or below the budget.
Our building project took approximately three years, and during that time, pieces of gear were modified or discontinued. Mark would call and say "This gear has been discontinued. You can save money and go with this equivalent model, or you can upgrade for 'X' dollars." Mark made sure we got equivalent or better gear if something was discontinued, and we always had an option of saving money if we chose to.
Describe your experience with Signature Sight & Sound.
Our relationship with the folks at Signature has developed into more of a friendship than a customer/client relationship.
From the first time I spoke to Mark, he got what we were trying to do, he understood the vision for the type of stage we wanted, that we were not going for the look or feel of a traditional downtown Charleston Southern Baptist church. Everything we did, he helped steer, but equally important, he listened and then provided feedback.
He was an excellent resource because of his background in AV. His experience gave us new and fresh ideas that I had not considered. Other times he said "I'm going to step back because it's not my place to say anything." There was a good mix between providing recommendations or suggestions, and saying "you've got it, run with it."
Mark could have easily charged us more money for revisions because of the many changes in architectural drawings over the course of time, but he was patient . . . his heart was in this project, and he wanted to see it succeed. He gave it a lot more than he had to. That shows a lot about his character.
Mark wasn't in it just for the money, or the job, or the check at the end of the project. He has a heart for helping chuches succeed, you can see that in his passion and what he did for us.
It is obvious that Sterling Coleman , Scott Miller and the install crew do their work as unto the Lord and they want to provide excellent quality. They actually did things that weren't technically part of their job, but they did it because it needed to be done, and they wanted the project to succeed and for God to get the glory.
Signature greatly exceeded our expectations in every way. It's way beyond anything I imagined. I had dreams and expectations, but the first time I got up on stage and walked around, I had chills.
I wouldn't change anything.
* Documentation for National Percentage of Total Construction Cost for AVL
"12-15% of the total new construction budget will provide a solid intermediate A/V/L system and 20-22% of the total budget will build a technically-savvy venue.
RESOURCE: LIFEWAY
"12-15% of the total new construction budget will provide a solid intermediate A/V/L system and 20-22% of the total budget will build a technically-savvy venue.
RESOURCE: LIFEWAY
