The Old Church is a non-profit entertainment and event venue in the West End
cultural district of Portland, Oregon. Already renowned as a space for acoustic and
classical performances, the recent installation of an Alcons Audio LR7 system has
made a significant difference in attracting a wider range of performers and
audiences.

Originally built in 1882, a dwindling congregation meant that in 1967 an alternative
use had to be found for the building or it faced demolition. A band of Portland
citizens formed a non-profit organization to preserve the building and use it as a
performance space to enhance the local community.

The Old Church is a contemporary, comfortable and accessible space, but the board
of directors is always looking at ways to improve it. Recently they raised $272,000
with the aim of upgrading it to become a world-class concert hall. Gary Stokes of
Stokes Sound – FOH Engineer for kd lang and audio engineer for Queen and Adam
Lambert – was brought in to assist a project which would include the installation of a
permanent sound reinforcement system.

In 1972 The Old Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places as an
excellent example of Carpenter Gothic architecture. This, together with a recent
internal restoration, made installing a permanent audio system a considerable
challenge.

The venue installed a temporary system to see if installing permanent sound
reinforcement could attract a wider range of performers. Stokes continues, “It didn’t
look great, but it proved the point and we were given the go-ahead to investigate
permanent systems.’

David Rahn, Alcons Audio North American Sales Manager, was happy to arrange the
loan of a demo system, which was set up on stands while Stokes spent time taking
acoustic measurements. “It immediately proved its superior audio quality, which
was very obvious to the board members,’ says Stokes. “It also proved that we
could get a lot more speakers and high frequency control from much less weight
than with any other manufacturer’s products.’

The chosen solution was a mono central cluster of six LR7/120° and four LR7/90°
micro line array modules, supplemented by fills of six compact versatile VR8
monitors and two mid-sized versatile VR12M monitors, plus a pair of BF181i mkII
compact subwoofers. The system is powered by Sentinel3 and Sentinel10 amplified
loudspeaker controllers, the “engines’ behind every Alcons system which are
designed to get the maximum performance from the pro-ribbon systems.

An air return vent above the audience had enough of a wood beam structure above
it for an additional beam to be installed, from which the LR7 cluster was flown.
Installed by Professional Sound and Lighting of Portland, the system was completed
ahead of schedule, with Rahn on hand to provide direct support from Alcons.

The system has been such a success that it is now being used for some acoustic
performances as well, as Stokes explains. “It’s very subtle and controlled, which
delivers a better listening experience for both audience and artist. The word is
getting out that it’s an amplified system which acoustic purists enjoy listening to.’

For more information visit: www.alconsaudio.com or theoldchurch.org