Each year I meet with a ton of churches looking for help with their church sound system installation. Many of my clients often ask me what the process looks like when making an investment in a church AVL system.
Before you get get in contact with an AVL Specialist there are a documents that you need to gather before you get started with the consultation process.
- Pictures of the sanctuary(front and back panorama, ceiling shots etc.)
- Floor plan drawings
- Reflected ceiling plans
- Elevations
Here at MediaMerge we often receive the the physical drawings from churches and keep them safe during the design process. We safely return them when we are finished.
If you or your selected AV company aren't comfortable mailing in your drawings you can make digital copies of the drawings in pdf. format at Kinkos or FedEx. Usually there is a fee of $25.00-$60.00 depending on the amount of documents that are copied.
The Buying Process
When working with an AV company to upgrade your church sound, video or lighting system the process will usually look something like this:
Needs Assessment
You and your selected AV Company will work together to identify your stated goals and uncover your hidden needs
Setting the expectations on what is really important to your church while staying on budget is critical during this stage of the buying process. AVL integrators need to know two key pieces of information before they can justify the internal expense of committing engineers to pre-sales design.
Be aware that most integrators will be focused on understanding your timeline and budget before they can justify the hours of engineering work that it takes to generate a custom solution.
Design Development
Your goals are translated to conceptual designs including preliminary budgets.
Some AV integrators, like MediaMerge, use 3D Rendering Technology which allows us to explore sight lines, experiment with aesthetics, and pre-visualize how light will interact with the architecture, as a creative process in the early stages of the project. This also allows the congregation to see what the new system will look like before it is installed which makes it easier for your team to communicate the vision and justify budget.
The real challenge during this part of the process lies in identifying needs, anticipating pitfalls, providing clear communication and overcoming architectural limitations. Working with a professional is essential to achieve optimal results.
Drawings & Documentation
The design is formalized with drawings and schematics.
Your selected church AV installer should provide you with a detailed proposal which will includes an overview, equipment list, execution plan, pricing break down and general terms and provisions.
Installation
Systems are built, tested and installed according to the documentation and drawings.
Safety should be the first concern when it comes to installation. Whether it’s hanging equipment overhead or pulling wire, your church AV installers should follow code to the letter. All wiring should be meticulously managed and documented for future serviceability.
Commissioning
The systems are programmed and tested to ensure they meet specifications
Your selected AV company should test and program your new system to ensure that there are no issues during your first Sunday service. Don't be afraid to hold your AV integrator accountable to ensure that the systems are functioning properly and are fine- tuned for your congregation and style of worship.
Training & Support
Your team is trained to use the systems effectively.
Our official policy on training is that we don’t have one. If your team can’t use the technology then your selected AV company has failed you. Whether it’s one short training session or ten, they should guarantee in writing that your team will get the training and support they need.
If you're church is in the process of getting quotes on a new church sound system you can get connected with an AVL Specialist by clicking here.