House of Worship

TC Furlong Inc. Supports Hybrid Live Events

The live events landscape has shifted dramatically this year. Social distancing measures and travel restrictions have brought virtual events and livestreams to the forefront in ways they never have been before. The TC Furlong Inc. live events team has leveraged our collective decades of experience, vast inventory of professional equipment, and relationships with trusted partners throughout the AV production industry to support all manner of live events.

Recently, we’ve provided production support for several “hybrid” events. These are events that have a limited, socially distanced in-person audience, as well as a remote audience watching via livestream. An upside of the hybrid event model is that the audience is not limited by geography or venue size; several of our customers have found that their hybrid event’s virtual audience dwarfed what they would normally expect for a strictly in-person event. Special considerations for hybrid events often include distributed loudspeakers and video displays throughout the venue, allowing for proper social distancing, and a consistent experience for all attendees. 

While virtual and hybrid event productions share many of the same principles of typical live events, additional care must be taken in order to create a safe environment for all crew members and presenters. Whether you’re hosting a traditional event with an in-person audience, a livestream, or a hybrid event combining both, we can take the stress off your shoulders and provide the high quality on-site AV production your event needs.

Here are some highlights of hybrid events we’ve supported in recent months:

University Commencement

Our production of the commencement ceremony for a major university involved a highly choreographed mix of live and pre-recorded segments. Originally designed as a hybrid event, the live audience had to be struck due to the increased risk of the pandemic. The event was still held in an auditorium to provide the feeling of a live event, and our team was able to create a matrix of audio and video confidence monitors to make interactions between presenters in different physical locations feel more natural and realistic. Through multi-camera video switching, we were able to create a comfortable and safe atmosphere for all presenters. The full scope of the production included a broadcast audio mix for the stream, a full TV control room with a video editor, closed captioning, a sophisticated intercom system, as well as a presidential-style teleprompter and operator.

 

Special Worship Services

Our team provided technical direction for High Holidays services with over 900 virtual attendees for several Chicago synagogues. The live broadcast included a mix of worship leaders (speaking and singing), a small orchestral group, and a choir. Multi-camera video switching and the usage of ambient room microphones in the livestream broadcast mix created an immersive environment for viewers. The broadcast team also integrated the audio stream with the in-house phone system to allow congregation members without internet access to call-in and listen.

Private Event

The production crew for this event consisted of over 16 technicians and engineers across multiple disciplines, including audio, video, and lighting, plus stage management and overall production management. The team integrated with the house sound and lighting systems, providing an audio split for separate in-house and broadcast mixes. We reinforced a 7-piece band with floor wedges. Again, another multi-camera shoot with video switching, the video was sent to the livestream, as well as audio/video displays set up at 3 different event spaces throughout the venue for the socially-distanced audience.

Each of the cases listed here was the first foray into hybrid live events for each of our customers. Whether you’re planning a hybrid event for the first time, and need guidance from start to finish, or you’re an experienced event producer just looking for a bit of extra help, our team has the know-how to make your event a success.

TC Furlong Inc.’s live event team can provide a full AV production solution for your next event. Contact one of our Project Managers next time you need flexible, expert planning, and flawless execution for your in-person, virtual, or hybrid event. Give us a call at 847-367-9588, or email Jeff Cech at jc@tcfurlong.com.

Worship Services Moving to the Great Outdoors

Worship services moving to the great outdoors?

Social distancing recommendations, phased reopening plans, and the advent of nicer weather are all factors leading houses of worship to actively consider moving their services outdoors. Interest ranges from curiosity to uncertainly about how get started to full-fledged plans.

TC Furlong has been supporting outdoor services (and outdoor events in general) for much of its 47 year history. We are here now to support your planning as your organization weighs the costs, challenges, and options to move outdoors. Whether you envision a short-term rental system, a purchase, or just need some additional equipment to move your existing assets outdoors, we have the resources to assist you in getting exactly what you need.

On the rental side, TC Furlong has created a variety of affordable, portable, scalable, great sounding, and easy-to-use sound system packages that can meet the technical demands of any service and any size congregation. We can supply everything you need from the mics to the loudspeakers and everything in between including weather protection and storage solutions between services. Our packages are based on building blocks of loudspeaker coverage areas and can be supplemented with any accessory equipment you need including wireless mic systems, worship band support, or any other audio/video equipment and services your team requires.

In addition to the hardware–we are standing by to assist your team with support services including consultation, design, site surveys, staff training, delivery, and our famous 24×7 support that provides peace of mind to your team when you need it most. Package and accessory pricing is flexible and formulated to fit most any budget and provides deep discounts for multi-week use.

If you are considering moving your services to the great outdoors but need help in the planning and execution, contact a Project Manager at TC Furlong today at projects@tcfurlong.com or 888-823-8756.

How Loud Is It? Managing SPL Levels With Accuracy & Precision

By Oz: Sales & Marketing

How loud is it? In many cases, this is a difficult question to answer because variables will affect the perceived loudness of any given space and performance. The perception of loudness is very subjective. Sometimes, it is critical to get accurate and repeatable measurements in order to maintain consistency and safety.

TREND SPL Reporting Systems Software is objective and easy to use. The system eliminates the difficult task of guessing at sound pressure levels by providing a simple, real-time, and intuitive readout of SPL. It also has a logging system, which allows for consistent levels and documentation over long periods.

The TREND software is built specifically to give users tools needed to accurately manage the loudness of their venues while eliminating the guesswork of measuring with just ears. The features of TREND provide a flexible and adaptable system that can be used out of the box or custom tailored to any environment. The two major versions, “TREND” standard and “TRENDpro”, let users choose the system that best fits their needs.

Here are some of the features offered by the two different versions:

TREND:

  • Uses Galaxy CM-170 as primary input
  • Displays real-time SPL readings on a visual loudness meter
  • Uses real-time Time Weighted Average
  • Can be set to either OSHA standards or custom settings for maximum threshold
  • All settings can be saved and recalled
  • Sends on-screen and email notifications when a specified threshold has been exceeded
  • Logs all information including custom events, triggers, interval changes, and summaries
  • Can be synced with iCal for automatic launching, restarting, and capturing
  • External beacons or “traffic light” indicators can be interfaced via USB
  • Ideal for small venues where accurate and consistent SPL measurements are important

TRENDpro

  • Includes all of the features of TREND
  • Expands the display to include the “Exposure Targeting” engine which allows you to see and monitor how long a target level can be reached without causing damage
  • Includes visual counters for each violation or alert
  • Can use the Galaxy CM-170 or interface with Studio Technologies SPLnet hardware
  • Can be custom configured to include multiple inputs and features with TRENDmanager and TRENDfreq add-ons.
  • Ideal for large venues with expanding or custom needs for SPL measurement

With all of the factors that contribute to measuring SPL, TREND makes it all incredibly simple and straightforward. Whether you are monitoring services to maintain consistent levels or making sure concert attendees are safe, TREND is a great solution.

If you have questions about TREND or would like to get information on ordering, contact the sales team at sales@tcfurlong.com or at 847-367-9588.

Eastside Christian Uses Meyer Sound’s LEOPARDS to Fit Their Mobile Space

Eastside Photo Text

Introduction By TC Furlong: 
 
When  Chris Gille called about Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, CA opening a satellite location in LaHabra, CA, I was eager to get down to designing a system. But then Chris told me that it would be in a gymnasium, it would need to be portable, and it needed to get loud. Always up for a challenge, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Around that time, I connected with Daniel Rivera of Meyer Sound about his idea to have an affordable, “first step” configuration of Meyer Sound’s newest star loudspeaker LEOPARD. Daniel’s vision was to configure two ground stacks, each containing three LEOPARD over one 900LFC (my favorite subwoofer in the world).
 
We had recently purchased a large LEOPARD system for our rental inventory so I was already familiar with this great and powerful speaker. We had also added six 900LFC so I knew these would be a great choice.   The next hurdle was to figure out how to keep the system portable and in a “pre-wired” state. Chris Gille, master of everything production related said he would have metal carts fabricated – we went back and forth on the minimum height and before I could say “custom carts” Gille had them ready. 
 
When I arrived in LaHabra to calibrate the system with our SIM3 system, it all came together really well. The system was uber-linear, powerful and punchy. It was all smiles when we finished and from what I understand, they continue to remain very pleased with the system. The fact that both Meyer Sound LEOPARD and 900LFC remain linear from soft to loud was just the ticket for this critical application.  
 
-TC Furlong
 

 

This artical was originally posted by Meyer Sound

A new satellite site for Southern California’s Eastside Christian Church is the first to benefit from the power, clarity and quick set-up offered by an innovative portable system of Meyer Sound LEOPARD™ line array loudspeakers. Installed on carts that are rolled into place weekly by volunteers, the self-contained arrays deliver ample power to supply sound for up to 800 worshippers gathered in the gymnasium of Whittier Christian High School, located about nine miles from the church’s Anaheim main campus.

For Chris Gille, Eastside’s CTO and chief systems engineer, the ready-made LEOPARD arrays turned out to be the ideal solution to a vexing problem common to nearly all portable churches borrowing gymnasiums for worship.

“We have extremely high standards for audio quality at our main campus, where we have Meyer Sound MICA arrays and Constellation active acoustics,” he says. “I knew the smaller LEOPARD would be a good fit here, but the question was, ‘Where do we put them?’ Flying was problematic because we didn’t want to be locked into fixed seating layouts. Also, there are strict regulations about clearance for sports activities and safety, which meant motorizing the hangs. All of that would be cost prohibitive.”

The eventual design solution was a collaborative effort, with a ready-made solution mounted on carts proposed by Meyer Sound House of Worship Specialist Daniel Rivera and further developed by Gille and T.C. Furlong of the eventual system supplier, Lake Forest, Illinois-based TC Furlong, Inc.

“It works extremely well,” says Gille. “It sends out a narrow lobe that skims peoples’ heads, and it’s a perfect match for the room’s acoustic treatments. We have more than enough headroom to let the worship band go anywhere they want musically, even if we pull out the bleachers and fill the room to its maximum of 800 people.”

The complete system comprises six LEOPARD line array loudspeakers and two 900-LFC low-frequency control units split across the two carts. Space at the bottom on one side accommodates an MDM-832 distribution module and Galileo® 616 loudspeaker processing system while the opposite cart holds the color-coded audio cables and AC mains cable during storage. “We can have the LEOPARD rig rolled out and ready in under 15 minutes, and all the audio ready inside an hour,” says Gille. “Including stage and seating, the total prep time is about three hours.”

Eastside Blog 2

Gille specified some added acoustic treatments to complement the system coverage pattern. A line of 2-inch absorptive panels was placed on the back wall to dampen slap-back, and the two thick panels that protect the 20’ wide Roe LED screen, when pulled aside for Sunday worship, function as effective traps for low-mid energy.

“Overall I’m very impressed with what I’m hearing,” concludes Gille. “It’s a fun feeling to have all that power and still hear detail in a gymnasium environment. Detail, in a gym? How can you do that?! I chalk it up to putting really good gear with precise pattern control and a linear response, and that’s what we get with this LEOPARD rig. Beyond that, you can’t go wrong investing in Meyer, as flexible components like these can be redeployed in new solutions as needs change.”

Front end gear contributing to the audio quality includes a Yamaha CL-5 digital mixer, DPA headset microphones, Shure wireless systems, and a complement of wired microphones from Audix and Shure.

Eastside Christian’s new main campus, opened in late 2012, is housed inside a completely reconstructed former Boeing Defense Systems plant. It features one of the newest worship auditoriums to offer variable acoustic characteristics using Meyer Sound’s Constellation acoustic system.

For more information about Meyer Sound’s LEOPARD system or anything from our list of over 100 professional audio manufacturers, contact our Sales Team at 847.367.9588 or sales@tcfurlong.com.

We also have many Meyer Sound speakers in our extensive rental inventory, including LEOPARD line array elements.  For more information on adding Meyer speakers to your next show, or any help with your next rental, please contact our Rental Team at 847.367.9588 or rentals@tcfurlong.com.

New Gear from Radial Engineering

Radial Engineering Ltd. is a manufacturer of professional audio products based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Quality construction, exceptional audio performance, and superb customer service have served to make Radial one of the most respected and trusted brands in the industry.

TC Furlong, Inc. has been a Radial dealer from the very beginning.

We were recently visited by founder and CEO Peter Janus and David “Shuu” Guidish to show off a few new items—among them was the Firefly Tube Direct box. Read more about new gear from Radial…

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