Shepherd of the Hills is a Lutheran church that holds worship services and religious ceremonies, such as baptisms and funerals, in San Antonio, Texas. The church’s architecture is highly reverberant, and acoustics have always been a challenge for voice intelligibility. The current sound system needed an upgrade, and church leaders sought a solution that was ideal for both spoken word in traditional services, as well as music reinforcement in contemporary services. Pro audio and commercial video systems integrator AV Calibrations was hired to design and install a new sound system with these goals in mind.
SOLUTION
AV Calibrations chose Biamp’s Community loudspeakers based on the company’s strong client support and their ability to offer the best solution to satisfy the customer’s expectations for the project. The team at AV Calibrations reviewed the room requirements, deciding that DSP, equalization, and time alignment were needed to achieve the optimal results. The church’s new main sound system features a pair of Community E SERIES high performance column line arrays, each including an ENT-FR three-way, full-range column for natural sounding voice and music reinforcement with an ENT-LF low frequency extension column. Designed for use in difficult acoustic environments, ENT-FR delivers high intelligibility with wide horizontal and extremely narrow vertical dispersion. Installers can use multiple full-range and low frequency columns to create vertical coverage with an extremely narrow focus. A pair of ENT206 compact column point-source provides additional coverage and fill, while a pair of dual 15-inch V2-215S subwoofers add bass and warmth during musical performances. Two Community ALC-3202D and one ALC-404D Amplified Loudspeaker Controllers from Biamp provide all the power, processing, and system management needed for the venue.
CONCLUSION
AV Calibrations was able to balance all the source signal inputs and mix to attain a consistent 75dB room amplitude, allowing even older congregants with hearing deficiencies to have a positive experience during worship services. Moreover, musical performances are now enhanced by the improved sound quality, while the slim profile of the Community E SERIES columns blends seamlessly with the church’s interior architecture. The client was very pleased with the final result and remarked on how the excellent sound system and integrated technology is invaluable to the sound quality of their live streaming services, pastoral messages, and video recordings of baptisms and funerals.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
