Baptist Church in Jonesboro, First Church, to Introduce New DiGiCo Quantum852 Audio Console
The First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, established around the same time as its namesake city, has recently undergone a significant upgrade in its audio system. The church has installed DiGiCo Quantum8 and Quantum3 consoles, replacing an older DiGiCo SD10 console at the front of house and a monitor console respectively [1].
This upgrade brings enhanced processing power, greater channel capacity, and improved sound quality to the church's audio setup. The Quantum series consoles offer advanced technology compared to the SD10, resulting in higher fidelity mixing, an improved user interface, and expanded functionality [1].
The installation of the Quantum8 console at the front of house marks it as the world's first house of worship to install a Quantum8. Meanwhile, the Quantum3 console installed at monitors has significantly improved the church's media workflow, making it easier to work on and train the mostly volunteer audio crew [2].
The church has doubled the number of stage boxes, adding two more SD-Racks. This upgrade allows up to 220 inputs at the stage, enabling as many as 21 vocalists to be on stereo IEMs, with wedges for the choir. The increased channel count and processing were necessary due to changes in the church's worship style, including the addition of electrified instruments, backing tracks, and outside concerts, brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic [3].
The workflow has been enhanced for the audio staff at First Baptist Jonesboro with the Quantum consoles. The Quantum8 console now handles about 80% of the processing compared to the SD10's 40%, with the Waves processing previously used on the SD10 consoles now split between the A and B engines of the Quantum8 console, providing failover protection [4].
The church is currently operating the audio at full 96k resolution, an upgrade from the previous 48k. With the Quantum3, all patching can be done internally in the console, making monitor management easier [5].
The 3,000-pipe organ at First Baptist Jonesboro shares worship music duties with a six-piece band consisting of electric guitars and drums. The new audio system is expected to provide clearer, more dynamic audio for congregational worship and other events, contributing to a more immersive worship experience for the congregation.
[1] - DiGiCo Quantum Consoles Installed at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro [2] - First Baptist Church of Jonesboro Upgrades to Quantum8 and Quantum3 Consoles [3] - First Baptist Church of Jonesboro Doubles Channel Capacity with Quantum8 Installation [4] - Waves Processing Split Between A and B Engines of Quantum8 Console at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro [5] - Quantum3 Console Improves Media Workflow at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro
- The DiGiCo Quantum8 console, installed at the front of house, now manages a large portion of the processing, compared to the 40% handled by the previous SD10 console.
- The Quantum3 console, installed for monitors, has improved the church's media workflow, making it easier to manage and train the volunteer audio crew.
- The new audio system, which includes distinct gadgets like microphones and stage boxes, is anticipated to deliver clearer, more dynamic audio for congregational worship and other events.
- The new audio setup, equipped with DiGiCo Quantum consoles, offers an advancement in technology over the previous systems, resulting in higher fidelity mixing and an expanded functionality.
