Summit, a church in Durham, NC, needed an outside-the-box immersive audio solution for their 2,000-seat space.
They were looking for a versatile system to turn both speech and concert audio into a connected, personal experience that fit within their budget.
To maintain versatility, Summit wanted atmospheric lighting that would also work for broadcasting.
This was a challenge, as expressive lighting isn’t always the best for broadcast clarity. The solution? We designed a lighting pit at the front of the stage to work seamlessly with a linear trough system, delivering broadcast-ready lighting. Paired with precision-placed fill lights, the setup adds the depth and dimension also needed for a cinematic, theatrical feel.
As the first church in the U.S with a full 360° soundscape rig from d&b Soundscape, we were able to stagger the microphone timing to support audio localization on stage—ensuring that sound originating from the stage sounded like it was coming from the stage itself, rather than from the large speaker in the back left corner of the room.
This was critical for keeping the audience engaged. When your brain is busy trying to locate the source of the sound, it’s not actually listening.
Summit was after immersive surround sound—but without compromising sightlines.
Instead of installing large line arrays that would obstruct views of the screen and stage, we took a more intentional approach. Custom acoustic paneling was designed to conceal bass traps and audio diffusers behind stretch fabric, delivering clean, even sound without visual clutter. The result? A fully immersive audiovisual experience that looked as good as it sounded.