For most small and mid-sized houses of worship, finding the budget to invest in new audio and video systems can be a daunting challenge. For Phoenix-based integrators 5 Words Media, this has been the inspiration behind #FreeChurchAV.
Now in its fifth year, #FreeChurchAV is an annual competition that has awarded over a million dollars in free audio and video systems to lucky churches across the country. DAS Audio has joined with 5 Words Media as a gold sponsor of the event, beginning with Season Four’s winners, Blue Ridge Chapel in Rocky Mountain, Virginia.
“When we heard about #FreeChurchAV we knew right away it was something we wanted to be involved with,” recalled DAS Audio’s VP of Sales for Pro Audio, Michael Palmer. “This was a company doing something truly special, and we knew we could support them and help make a difference for some lucky congregations.”
Due to the main area’s unique dimensions, being a deep room as opposed to a wide room, Blue Ridge Chapel’s sanctuary was outfitted with a centre array of three VANTEC-20A self-powered constant curvature line arrays and a VANTEC-118A subwoofer, along with two more VANTEC-118A subs on the ground. A handful of ACTION-508 two-way systems provide outside delays to a few shaded areas, as well as to the upstairs mix position.
As Palmer observed, the system was a perfect fit for the room. “The space has relatively low ceilings and a video wall, so line of sight was a consideration. The VANTEC system is compact enough to not be in the way, but powerful enough to cover pretty much the entire room.”
For the 5 Words Media team, joining forces with DAS Audio was a natural fit. “DAS Audio has this amazing state-of-the-art demo room at their Miami headquarters,” reported 5 Words Media CEO Daniel Gourley. “When we walked in there I was like Gordon Ramsay when he comes in and orders every item on the menu – I just wanted to hear everything. And the VANTEC system was perfect for the kind of jobs we do – small to mid-sized churches where a full line array is too much.”
Looking ahead, the winners of Season Five of #FreeChurchAV have just been announced, with the award going to CityView Church in Phoenix, Arizona. DAS Audio’s participation in #FreeChurchAV underscores its dedication to supporting and fostering enhanced worship experiences through high-quality audio solutions. “We’re excited to see what the 5 Words Media team comes up with for the CityView sanctuary,” concludes DAS Audio’s Michael Palmer. “And we’re looking forward to working with them on #FreeChurchAV for many years to come.”
