Garden Grove, CA - In the first-ever installation of new VerTec DP Series with JBL DrivePack power modules, the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA recently upgraded its sound system with the help of design firm Acoustic Dimensions and systems integrator Electrosonic.
Built in 1980, the Crystal Cathedral structure is predominantly glass, with a sanctuary that seats 2,890 people. More than 1,000 singers and musicians can perform in the 185-foot-long chancel area.
The Crystal Cathedral's Creation multimedia production, which is scheduled to run at least through this month, required an upgrade to its in-house sound reinforcement system.
Electrosonic, based in Burbank, CA, handled installation of the equipment, which included 29 JBL VerTec VT4888DP and four VT-4882DP line-array elements. The custom-engineered products for the Crystal Cathedral venue feature cosmetic modifications including the substitution of white grilles for black and the deletion of handles. Additionally, five JBL PD5322/95 models specially equipped with JBL DrivePack units round out the system, along with BSS Soundweb signal processing technology.
Co-developed with Harman Pro Group sister companies, Crown International and dbx Professional, the JBL DrivePack power modules couple seamlessly with VerTec loudspeakers. "The challenge of the Crystal Cathedral project was to achieve an optimal combination of power, versatility and control," said Andrew Rutkin, director of custom product engineering for JBL. "The capabilities of VerTec, now enhanced with JBL DrivePack technology, perfectly support the many different requirements of the Cathedral, bringing sophisticated, flexible loudspeaker technology to a sophisticated, multi-use worship space."
For systems design, Electrosonic turned to Craig Janssen of Addison, TX-based Acoustic Dimensions. Janssen's design provided support for a variety of different services in an acoustically challenging space.
