Introduction
Hey, tech enthusiasts and church leaders! We're taking you on a tour of the Crossings Community Church Mayfair campus in Oklahoma City. This location has undergone a remarkable transformation, blending traditional elements with cutting-edge technology. Join us as we explore the innovative solutions they've implemented to create an immersive and engaging worship experience.
A Transformation Story - Turning the 1950s into 2025
The Mayfair campus has a unique history. It was originally a beloved community church that, after years of service, was donated to Crossings Community Church. The building itself presented some challenges, as it was built in the 1950s and wasn't designed with modern technology in mind. However, the team at Crossings saw the potential and embarked on a journey to integrate cutting-edge technology while preserving the traditional charm of the space.
The Tech Tour
The Helm of the USS Enterprise
Our tour begins in the tech booth, which has been affectionately nicknamed "the helm of the USS Enterprise." This state-of-the-art control center houses all the audio, video, and lighting controls for the sanctuary. The team has cleverly utilized medical-grade equipment tracks, commonly found in hospitals, to create a flexible and adaptable workspace. This allows them to easily reconfigure the equipment layout as needed without major renovations.
A Symphony of Sound
The audio system at Mayfair is a testament to modern sound engineering. With a minimal number of physical inputs at the console, they've embraced digital audio networking to streamline their workflow. The majority of the audio signals are routed through a rack room via Whirlwind direct boxes, keeping the stage and console clutter-free.
One of the highlights of the audio setup is the use of a Stream Deck to control vocal groups. This innovative solution allows the audio engineer to quickly assign microphones to different buses, such as lead or background vocals, with the touch of a button. This simplifies the mixing process and ensures that each vocal part sits perfectly in the mix.
The sanctuary's acoustics have been carefully treated with custom-designed panels to ensure optimal sound quality. The sound system itself is a Martin Audio PA system, featuring ten speakers in each array, three subwoofers, and four floor fills to provide even coverage throughout the space. The balcony also has its own set of fill speakers to ensure that every member of the congregation enjoys a clear and balanced sound experience.
Monitoring with Clang
For in-ear monitoring, the team has chosen the Clang system. This personal monitoring system allows each band member to create their own custom mix, giving them greater control over what they hear on stage. The front line vocalists use wireless transmitter packs with built-in earpieces, while the backline musicians utilize Clang controllers to fine-tune their mixes. This ensures that everyone on stage has a clear and comfortable monitoring experience.
Smart Integration
The Mayfair campus has embraced the Smart system for monitoring decibel levels. This helps them maintain a safe and comfortable listening environment for both the congregation and the musicians. The system provides real-time dB readings and tracks exposure levels throughout the morning, ensuring that they stay within safe limits.
Lighting Up the Space
The lighting system at Mayfair is designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They've chosen white fixtures to blend seamlessly with the architecture of the room, creating a clean and modern look. The front lighting consists of Elation Clipper FC fixtures, while the backlighting features Fuze Profile fixtures that can create stunning gobo effects on the ceiling.
The team has also retrofitted all the house lights with LED fixtures, allowing them to control the entire lighting system from the GrandMA Command XT Wing console. This console is equipped with an onboard PC, eliminating the need for a separate wing and providing a streamlined workflow.
Video Production
The video production setup at Mayfair is equally impressive. They have two ProPresenter stations, CG1 and CG2, serving as backup for each other. This ensures that they can quickly switch to a backup system in case of any technical issues.
For recording, they utilize a variety of tools, including TriCaster and a Mac Studio. The Mac Studio is connected to the console via Dante and a DADman converter, allowing them to record up to 256 channels of audio. This provides them with ample flexibility for capturing both live performances and virtual soundchecks.
The Service Director's Hub
The service director's station is a multitasking powerhouse. From here, they control the Planning Center Live software, switch video inputs on the LED wall, monitor recordings, and even run some of the lighting cues using Companion and Stream Decks. This central command center ensures that all aspects of the service run smoothly and efficiently.
A Unique LED Wall
One of the most striking features of the Mayfair campus is the large LED wall on stage. This Vanguard screen is mounted on a hoist, allowing them to raise and lower it as needed. This is particularly useful for baptisms, as it allows them to reveal the baptistry behind the screen.
The LED wall is also used as a conference monitor, providing the musicians with a clear view of the lyrics, upcoming slides, and other essential information. The ultra-wide format of the screen allows them to display a variety of content simultaneously, ensuring that everyone on stage has the information they need.
Cameras and Archives
The Mayfair campus has a four-camera setup, with a Sony box camera and a PTZ camera in the balcony. They primarily use these cameras for recording archive footage and monitoring the service from different locations. The footage is sent back to their master control in Oklahoma City, where it can be used for various purposes, such as training or reviewing services.
Playlister: A Versatile Tool
One of the standout features of the Mayfair campus is their innovative use of Playlister, a cloud-based content management system. Playlister allows them to easily distribute video content to various displays throughout the building, including classrooms, the student center, and even the nursery.
The team has found Playlister to be particularly useful for ministries that don't require a dedicated technical director. By uploading their slides and videos to Playlister, these ministries can run their own events without needing extensive technical support. This frees up personnel and allows the tech team to focus on other areas.
Playlister has also proven to be a valuable tool for centralizing content creation. The team at the Oklahoma City location can create video content for kids and students and upload it to Playlister, making it instantly available to all the campuses. This ensures that everyone has access to the latest and greatest content.
To further enhance the Playlister experience, the team has integrated Apple TV controls into the Crestron systems in all the classrooms. This allows anyone to easily access and control Playlister content from the Crestron panel, eliminating the need for separate remotes or devices.
Conclusion
The Crossings Community Church Mayfair campus is a shining example of how technology can be used to enhance the worship experience. By embracing innovative solutions and integrating them seamlessly into a traditional space, they've created an environment that is both welcoming and engaging.
We hope this tech tour has inspired you to explore new ways to use technology in your own church. Remember, at the end of the day, it's all about using our resources to glorify God and spread His message.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace digital audio networking to streamline your audio workflow.
- Utilize Stream Decks to simplify complex tasks and improve efficiency.
- Invest in a personal monitoring system like Clang to give musicians greater control over their mixes.
- Choose lighting fixtures that complement the aesthetics of your space.
- Consider a cloud-based content management system like Playlister to centralize content creation and distribution.
- Integrate technology seamlessly to create a user-friendly experience for both staff and volunteers.
Thank you for joining us on this tech tour. We hope you've learned something new and are excited to see how you use technology to further your ministry.