Grace Family Church in Bubikon, Switzerland has become the first house of worship in Europe to install an L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive audio system, with a five-hang A15i design installed around the venue’s domed roof, chandelier, projection and lighting systems.
The 350-capacity Church Dome, located south-east of Zürich, features a tensile fabric membrane structure rising to eight metres above a 24m by 26m floor plan. Its existing PA was approaching 20 years old, prompting the church to initially seek a like-for-like replacement.
The project brought together Swiss L-Acoustics distribution partner SDS, audio consultancy and rigging specialist Soundrig, Stagelight and systems integrator Impact Atelier. Soundrig was already advising the church when SDS became involved, with the team subsequently exploring whether a conventional replacement could meet the venue’s requirements.
Analysis of the existing loudspeaker positions showed that a traditional left/right system would not deliver the localisation required for either speech or music. Following an initial demonstration at the SDS Auditorium in Winterthur, a full-scale 1:1 demonstration of the proposed L-ISA system was staged inside the church.
The resulting system uses L-ISA object-based processing to position voices and instruments in relation to their physical location in the room rather than tying audio reproduction to conventional left and right loudspeaker hangs.
Installation presented several architectural constraints. “The domed roof and a striking chandelier were certainly a standout feature that made the installation and design unique,” said Roger Sommer, company owner at Soundrig. “We also had to design the L-ISA configuration around the front lighting and front projection.”
L-Acoustics Soundvision software was used to model coverage and SPL, as well as determine loudspeaker positions around the projector field of view, sightlines and front lighting.
Michael Graf, systems engineer at Impact Atelier, worked on the system and network integration and was also involved in the loudspeaker design process. “[Soundvision] calculated the optimal loudspeaker positions and SPL distribution, but it was also a huge help for placing the loudspeakers virtually within the building and finding the best compromise between sightlines, the projector’s field of view and the front spotlights,” he said.
The final L-ISA Scene System comprises five hangs, each combining one A15i Wide with one A15i Focus. Two centre-flown hangs, each containing two KS21i subwoofers, provide low-frequency reinforcement, while an X8 loudspeaker flown on either side covers lateral areas at the front of the room.
A single L-ISA Processor II provides object processing, with an LA7.16i amplified controller driving all 16 enclosures.
Audio is sent from a Yamaha Rivage console over MADI to the L-ISA Processor II before being transported via Milan-AVB to the LA7.16i.
The project also included an upgrade of the church’s audio network, planned and delivered by Graf. An experienced L-ISA user, he handled network switch and console integration for Impact Atelier. According to the church, the resulting infrastructure has improved overall system stability.
The Church Dome’s building envelope also worked in the team’s favour. Graf noted that the structure is well insulated, limiting the amount of ambient noise entering the venue.
The installation itself had to fit into a five-day window between services. Work began immediately after a Sunday service and had to be completed, including rehearsals, ahead of the following Friday’s Worship Night. Soundrig handled rigging and PA installation, remaining involved from the initial demonstrations through to handover.
“The support from Christian Schmid and the L-ISA application team was great from day one,” said Patric Schafroth, sales and application engineer at SDS.
Day-to-day operation also influenced the system design, as the church relies on a team of semi-professional volunteers rather than full-time production staff.
“Set against the almost endless possibilities the system offers, the basic functions are kept as clear as possible, so getting started isn’t overly difficult,” said This Hochstrasser, head of audio at Grace Church.
The church expects its team to continue developing its use of L-ISA over time, while the object-based platform could also support closer integration between audio and lighting workflows in future.
“It integrates very well into the building and is visually a win compared to a classic line array hang,” said Hochstrasser. “Feedback from every side has been enormously positive.”