Who: Southport United Methodist Church
What: Church Sanctuary
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
Why: Improve speech intelligibility and music quality while simultaneously reducing the ambient noise level created by the praise band during church services.

How:

After an on-site visit by Auralex engineers to observe the acoustical problems it was determined that the two parallel angled walls were the source of many of the acoustical anomalies in the room, resulting in poor speech intelligibility and music quality. The room dimensions were analyzed and modeled in order to reinforce the observed acoustical problems.

As in many houses of worship, an aesthetically pleasing solution was desired. Due to this fact, ELiTE Pro Panels were chosen as the solution necessary to correct the observed and measured acoustical problems in the sanctuary.

The picture to the right illustrates the suggested layout for the twenty (20) ELiTE Pro Panels used to treat the parallel offending walls. This pattern is one of many that could be effective in this application. The main goal is to minimize the amount of parallel untreated wall space, which will result in reduced reverberation time and minimized flutter echo.

Another concern was the reflected energy from the rear wall directly behind the praise band caused primarily by rear-firing floor monitors. Fifteen (15) ELiTE Pro Panels were implemented on the rear wall as shown in the picture below.

“I first began using your Auralex Studiofoam® in my personal production studio in 1993. After installing your 2’x4’ Studiofoam®, Sonomatt™, and LENRD® Bass Traps in my drum isolation room, I became hooked on Auralex! I wouldn't think of recommending any acoustic product other than Auralex!

When I became the technical director last fall, the sanctuary at Southport United Methodist Church was a soundman's nightmare. Flutter echoes, along with a distracting reverb tail, made any quality audio mix impossible.

After the Auralex ELiTE Pro Panels were installed behind the praise band and along the side walls, the sanctuary sound came to life. The stage musicians finally could ''feel'' the vocal presence from the floor monitors while achieving a solid, well defined music mix.

The congregation's response was immediate! At the initial service after which the acoustic treatments were installed, the members of the praise team were approached and given compliments on how great the music sounded!

Visually, the ELiTE Pro Panels are stunning and decorator friendly!

After twenty-seven years of sound mixing, I have found Auralex acoustical treatment products and staff support to be second - to - none!

Many thanks from the congregation at Southport United Methodist Church for lifting our sound to a ‘higher power!’”