Church Amplifies Sound Quality through Sea-Themed Hearing Upgrade
In the bustling city of Greenville, SC, Grace Church has recently upgraded its sound system, replacing aging consoles with the Waves eMotion LV1 Classic. This versatile console is now the heart of the church's 800-seat venue, managing both front-of-house (FOH) and monitor operations with ease.
The Waves eMotion LV1 Classic console is a powerhouse, handling a full drum kit, bass guitar, two electric guitars, an acoustic guitar, keys, tracks, and four vocalists. The console's onboard Waves IONIC Signature mic preamps play a key role in delivering the incredible sound quality that Grace Church has come to appreciate.
Front-of-house engineer Jeff Sandstrom, who has chosen the Waves eMotion LV1 Classic for its seamless processing workflow, integrates Waves plug-ins within the console's processor. Handheld and headset microphones, as well as video playback, are integrated into the productions using the console.
Sandstrom, known for his meticulous approach to sound, frequently employs a range of Waves and other industry-standard tools. For the snare drum and vocals, he often uses the SSL E-Channel, while the H-Comp Hybrid Compressor is his go-to for drum channels. The API 550 EQ is a staple on several inputs, and he uses an API 2500 compressor on the kick drum. The Kramer PIE Compressor is his choice for the parallel drum bus, and he uses another API 2500 on the LR bus.
In addition to the Waves eMotion LV1 Classic, Sandstrom also uses the Waves eMo IEM immersive in-ear mixing software for his reinforcement and monitor operations. Backstage, two DSPRO StageGrid 4000s and an IONIC 16 stagebox handle most of the band inputs. Another IONIC manages drum and tracks inputs on the drum riser.
The eMotion LV1 Classic's flexible matrix capabilities allow for tailored audio distribution across different spaces. Outputs from the IONIC are sent analog to the PA system, while the console's matrix mixer manages live audio routing, sending mixes to recording feeds, the lobby, and overflow areas.
The small footprint of the eMotion LV1 Classic allows for comfortable and efficient management of everything in the booth. Sermons at Grace Church are prerecorded and sent as files to each campus, where they're played back locally during services. The band has given positive feedback about the sound quality of the eMotion LV1 Classic, praising its performance which has been flawless with zero failures or issues.
With the Waves eMotion LV1 Classic console now deployed at Grace Church's largest campus on Pelham Road, the church's sound team is poised to deliver exceptional audio quality for years to come.
