California Designs that Spark Inspiration

Saint Philip’s Church in San Francisco was looking to update their outdated audio system and looked to PCD to take on the task. The Pastor said he wanted a simple and easy to use system that had all the technology of a modern day sound system that any one of the staff members could utilize. The challenge was to outfit the historical plaster wall church with new technology and not ruin the integrity of the building.

PCD reviewed the design and established and after reviewing coverage patterns and SPL needs as well as acoustics for the room, it was determined there was no better solution for the budget than the Bose MA12EX line array column speakers.

The Bose MA12ex Column speakers paired with a Powermatch DSP amplifier and a MB4 subwoofer delivered just that– the sound spread evenly throughout the sanctuary without exiting the room or echoing. To simplify the ease of use we installed a Shure auto-mix SCM820 which had just the right amount of inputs to accommodate a Shure QLX wireless body pack. Paired with an over the ear DPA microphone, Shure QLX Beta 58 wireless handheld microphones and a few Shure XLR inputs along the walls of the Sanctuary, this allowed flexibility to add additional Choir microphones when needed.

This package of Bose and Shure pro audio gear was just the right combination to bring this beautiful sanctuary into the modern time with a great sounding system that is easy for any of the staff to use.

PCD was requested to provide a solution to outfit a new entertainment venue in the countryside which was to be a converted large barn. The intent was to hold hospitality events at the new facility and would have some amount of outdoor areas with sound as well. Additionally, a conference room will be also in need of some audio-video functionality.

PCD did a complete Design-Build for a new Audio Video system for Hanson Barn at Bricoleur Vineyards on Starr Road in Windsor, CA, to include background music, a public address system, pavilion sound system, portable sound system, and a Conference Room AV system.

Hanson Barn is a unique, high-end hospitality and commercial space in which PCD provided an AV system for background music and PA system including master control in the rack and wireless control of the system via iPad.

Installation of wired Shure SM58S microphones in the “barn alley,” Shure SLX24Beta58 handheld wireless microphones, and wifi through Sonos Connect for streaming music from a personal device to the entire facility using QSC Q-Sys touch panels and Core110F DSP system as the control and routing.

BOSE speakers were installed in various locations throughout the venue including offices, restrooms, kitchen and bar, the exterior of Hanson Barn, trellis and Baci Ball courts. The landscape areas including hillside and trees feature 20 outdoor BOSE 360P II speakers and 16 Soundtube XT-Surround Stone 5S outdoor rock-shaped speakers to blend in with the surroundings.

The Conference Room includes audio and wireless connection to a personal device and wired connection to an 80” flat-panel Sharp TV with Innovox soundbar, Barco click share, Extron controls, and Apple TV.

The facility is now in use and the sound is great in all areas providing an excellent platform for having an enjoyable experience for the various events being conducted at Hanson Barn.

Palo Alto High School was holding arts and theater classes in the 100-year-old Haymarket Theater building, which was not able to accommodate the acoustics nor the caliber of performance they desired. They developed a planning committee to facilitate the design of a much needed Performing Arts Center to serve the entire community of Palo Alto.

Palo Alto High School sought state-of-the-art equipment that would rival any big city theater by offering a professional space desirable to outside renters. PCD fully equipped the 538-seat performing arts center with a top of the line Meyer Sound System, wireless microphones and power conditioners to deliver quality performances.

PCD worked alongside Palo Alto High School’s internal AV team to create a powerful sound system for the Performing Arts Center capable of carrying sound to all 538 seats, stream video to the lobby for overflow, and project crisp presentations.

• This massive installation includes 77-inch Middle Atlantic WRK-44-32 and 80.5-inch SR-46-28 racks, 52 different custom panels, and seven custom patchbays–four from AVP and three from Leviton.
• Installation of a Meyer Sound Constellation system featuring the D-Mitri digital audio platform, Galileo 408 processor, UPJunior-XP speakers, UP-4XP speakers, HMS-10, Stella-4C loudspeakers and MM-10XP subwoofers. Also included was a Yamaha LS9-32 channel digital mixer, Digital Projection E-vision 1080P-8000 projector and a Da-Lite 36431 curved-series 24-ft x 12-ft lace-and-grommet screen.
• The overhead paging system includes Atlas Sound PA601, Lowell volume controls, Audio-Technica AT8035 and AT8415 microphones, Biamp Tesira logic controls, Crown CDI 1000 power amplifiers,
• Fixed-mount VITEK VTC-C2B-HS HD camera feeding TVs at Front of House and Back of House
• Crestron 3-series touch screen control system, Blackmagic Design content storage, Sennheiser EW355 wireless microphones, Clearcom intercom, and Biamp/TOA Paging systems

The Palo Alto Performing Arts Center is used for rehearsals and performances of music, movies, drama, choir, and dance by the high school, and provides a professional and desirable venue to a variety of outside renters. PCD created an amazing space for the community of Palo Alto that remains flexible to the needs of any type of audiovisual performance.