Showorks Chooses Sabine Wireless for Hands-free Sound System at Temple Sinai
Jan 19, 2006 8:00 AM
“Many of our small and medium-sized houses of worship do not have the luxury of a trained staff for running their sound systems,” says Rex Garrett from Showorks in Atlanta. “Sabine’s wireless system is the key that makes Temple Sinai’s system as simple to use as flipping a switch.”
“The design goal for this job was to make the sound system as transparent as possible to the rabbis, the cantor, and the congregation. The Sabine equipment was the key to achieving our design goal,” says Garrett.
As many as eight worshippers speak from the bema during services at Temple Sinai, so Showorks installed mics on each lectern. In addition, the rabbis and the cantor wear wireless mics so they are free to move to pray in front of the Ark or to carry the Torah into the congregation.
Showork’s first considerations for any sound system are always reliability and intelligibility. “The Sabine SWM7000 wireless systems worked flawlessly for six months in our rental department before we considered them for this job. Besides great sound, they have several features that make them the obvious choice for a hands-free system,” Garrett says. “The built-in battery charger eliminates the need for someone to open the transmitter and change batteries before every service. The rabbis simply unplug the transmitters from the charger, and they are ready to go—just like their cell phones.”
Another feature that makes the SWM7000 so flexible in a hands-free system is the DSP processing built into the receivers. “The cantor has a powerful voice with an amazing dynamic range, so we used the built-in compressor/limiter on her mic. We would have had to install a separate outboard processor if we had used any other microphone,” Garrett says. “The levels were all preset during the installation, and the built-in FBX automatically takes care of any feedback that might occur after we leave. Everything is automatic.”
Another advantage is the programmable power switch on the transmitters. It can be set to toggle between on and off, on and mute, or on in both positions. This proved to be a critical component. “When they speak from either of the lecterns, the rabbis mute the wireless to eliminate phase distortion with the lectern mic. They only switch on the wireless when they step away from a lectern. Sabine’s un-mute is totally undetectable,” says Garrett. Flipping the mute switch is the only system control for which they are responsible.
The sanctuary system includes two dual-channel receivers and four belt-pack transmitters equipped with Sabine SWT31L-TA4 miniature cardioid lavalier microphones. Two SWT56W headworn microphones are also available and used in folk services.
In the large social hall adjacent to the sanctuary there are three additional wireless mic channels. These are shared between a 30’x60’ multi-purpose room and a 30’x30’ classroom area, separated by a movable room divider. The sanctuary and social hall wireless mic systems are covered by two SWA6SS antenna distribution amplifiers. These are paired with split extension antennas, switched to +44dB boost. Also available for use in either area are three handheld SWM7000 condenser wireless microphone transmitters. The combined system provides flexibility, audio quality, and ease of use.
“The SWM7000 costs a little more than some other wireless brands, but the savings from the battery system and the elimination of outboard equipment more than balance the equation. The real advantage for a small or medium-sized congregation comes from the DSP features included in these wireless mic systems,” Garrett asserts.
Sabine’s SWM7000 Smart Spectrum wireless offers 70 channels simultaneously. Receivers come in single- or dual-channel versions, and there is a networkable model that includes a digital audio output. Also available are several handheld transmitters, lavalier, and headworn microphones, and a variety of antennas.
For more information visit www.sabine.com.
