House of Praise, Camberwell

SFL Installs L’Acoustics Kara and Roland M-48

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Roland’s M-48 personal monitor mixers, together with the popular M-400 mixing console, are part of an audio installation package at a new church that is in demand as a live recording venue. The Lighthouse in Camberwell has been given a top-to-toe refurbishment by new owners, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and has already hosted album recordings by Christian and gospel artists.

The Lighthouse was originally one of the largest cinemas in London's suburbs; in 1940, its Art Deco auditorium could house some 2,470 people. The cinema was later converted by Gala Bingo, but closed a few years ago. In 2010, the Grade II Listed building was purchased by RCCG for use as a church.

Meticulous renovation has resulted in a stunning interior for the RCCG congregation, and will produce a steady stream of rental business from events managers and community project organisers. Capacity is set at around 2000, making the Lighthouse the largest of RCCG’s three London churches.

An 8-year relationship has been built up with Berkshire-based design and installation company SFL. “Mark Payne was the first person I called when we took over this building,” says Ayobami-David Soetan, head of AV and Technical Facilities for the RCCG. “We were familiar with SFL’s work at our other churches and also the large Dominion Centre in north London. It made good sense to choose a similar system, and avoid costly mistakes by staying with a reliable supplier.”

As he has done in several house of worship installations, SFL’s Mark Payne specified L’Acoustics for the main PA and Roland control equipment for stage sound. The M-400 V-Mixing console is side of stage to manage the few monitor speakers used by the choir and lead vocalists, but all six members of the band are equipped with Roland M-48 Personal Monitor Mixers, giving them the ability to control their own mix and levels.

“The musicians love local control!” says David Soetan. “Using the M-48s saves us a lot of time and trouble, as we don’t have to soundcheck, we can save the necessary scenes at our rehearsals. The Roland units have also been a big hit with musicians playing on live recording sessions here at the Lighthouse, including Sonnie Badu’s gospel album.”