The International Centre for Business & Technology (ICBT) is a cornerstone in the delivery of BP’s business worldwide. Located in Sunbury-on-Thames, the ICBT is ‘home’ to some 3,500 people from across the globe, working in more than 55 different international business teams.
The ICBT site has been part of BP’s history for nearly a century, starting as a collection of laboratories. Today the ICBT site is a modern, international business centre with upstream, corporate and functions and downstream.
B L Acoustics were approached to supply and install a comprehensive audio system in BP’s existing Link Building. The works included the fitting of new loudspeaker and RF cables, some of which were installed beneath tiled flooring. The new system would deliver high-quality sound reinforcement, clear wireless microphone capabilities and music reproduction.
The core of the system we installed comprised of a powerful amplifier for driving the loudspeakers, a high-performance network switch for seamless network connectivity between each Dante enabled device, a Dante Quad Radio Mic Receiver for simultaneously managing up to four wireless microphones, and a control PC for background music integration. Included was an iPad for additional and convenient control of the background music player.
The system incorporates five high-fidelity 10-inch, 2-way loudspeakers with accompanying wall brackets for optimal placement and sound dispersion throughout the designated areas. The loudspeakers were arranged in three controllable zones to enable individual control in each.
Within the set-up, we provided a professional sound control surface, offering intuitive controls for the mixing and control of audio signals from various sources to the three segregated zones within the area. Versatility was accounted for with four handheld microphones with interchangeable mic capsules. These provide excellent audio capture for presentations, performances, or announcements.
Works were completed in two stages following a detailed site survey, with attendances at weekends and out of hours.
BL Acoustics were engaged to design and install a simple but flexible PA system at All Saint’s Church in Stock, Essex.
The Church criteria was to bring enhancement to their services and audio clarity for the choir and congregation, plus a means of adding additional input to the service. Being a small church, this needed to be discreet but effective and not overpowering.
Control of the system was also an important requirement for the organist.
The highly reverberant space was making it difficult for services to be heard clearly and this caused operational problems for the teams.
Proposal
Proposed was a small system consisting of four radio microphones, one lectern microphone and multi-media inputs. For control we provided the organist with independent volume control over the Chancel and Nave loudspeakers, a dedicated Audio Input and local Remote-Control Sensor for the Media Player all situated next to the Organist at high level.
Installation
The installation used colour co-ordinated cable, loudspeakers and antenna so as not to be intrusive when seen from floor level.
The system provided 14 independent inputs allowing the capacity to add more inputs and loudspeakers if required. The 240-Watt BOSCH Plena Amplification and TOA TZ206 20-Watt column loudspeakers provided clear sound with minimal feedback.
The DN-500CB Multi-Media Player and DN312X Input Mixer were both made by Denon.
Microphones used were Sennheiser XSW2-C11. These are not the usual vocal radio systems. The XSW2 system was developed for combined use with theatre, music and speech and so has the added flexibility of being used as mobile audio line inputs too for bands or presentation laptops etc. should the church expand.
Completion
On completion, testing, and first use, the Church and users were very happy with the system achieving exactly what was needed and more. Read our testimonial from All Saints Church below.
For more information on Public Address Systems, please click here: Public Address Systems | B L Acoustics Limited
On behalf of the All Saints’ Congregation at Stock Harvard, Essex, we wanted to thank you and your team for the outstanding Sound System which you installed in June 2021.
Your expertise and professionalism were really appreciated, and you have guided us through a difficult and challenging project with sensitivity to the needs of our worship.
On the first Sunday of use, we had many comments from the congregation who said that they were overwhelmed by the systems natural amplification of the clergy and readers’ voices.
You took care to explain how the system worked and all the controls were easy to understand and use.
We would have no hesitation in recommending you to any other parties interested in such an installation.
All Saints’ Church PCC
