Valrico Sound Expert Gives Churches Fair Hearing

A Valrico resident is helping to make sure that all members of a congregation can tune into their pastor during Sunday sermons.

Paul Garner has teamed up with Danley Sound Labs of Gainesville, Ga., to rewire area churches for superior sound.

Garner, owner of  CSI: Christian Sound Installations, was recently hired to install a sound system in Church's 400-seat sanctuary.

Like so many mid-sized churches, opted for a one-size-fits-all sound system years ago when it built its facility, said Garner.

"It can be more truthfully described as a doesn't-fit-at-all sound system," said Garner.

The church called on Garner and his AV design and installation firm to remedy the church sound problems. In turn, CSI called on a full complement of Danley Sound Labs loudspeakers, subwoofers, stage monitors and amplifiers to deliver coverage that is uniform.

"They were having all kinds of problems with the old system. It was a mess," said Garner. "The main issue was poor coverage. People in the front were blasted while people in the back couldn't hear at all. Designing even coverage is important in any installation, but it is critical in a house of worship. If you can't hear the message, you can't receive the message."

Coverage wasn't the church's only problem, however.

"The system lacked the punch necessary for a contemporary-service style," Garner said. "While they weren't looking for a rock concert, they definitely wanted the sort of bass that you can feel in your chest."

Garner became acquainted with Danley Sound Labs at an InfoComm trade show and was immediately taken with its outlook – both spiritual and technical. Danley Sound Labs and CSI both describe the core of their businesses as ministries, helping to spread the word of God through effective spoken or sung word through a modern sound reinforcement system.

Garner's history positioned him perfectly to realize that mission. He spent his formative years as a traveling musician, transitioned to become a live sound engineer, enjoyed regular hours as an electrical contractor, and, in the last move before the birth of CSI, took on responsibilities as a general contractor.

Garner was pleased with the results of the church's new sound system.

"It sounds phenomenal. It was so good that it was really hard to believe. But when we fired it up, sure enough, there it was. I went around to about 50 points in the room, including corners and mid-ways, and there was no more than 2 decibals of variation."

Garner will be able to make adjustments to the system remotely over the Internet.

"Even at 75 decibals, you still get that nice warm thump in your chest and the mids and highs still sound vibrant," said Garner. "That's saying something, because inferior sound systems start to flag at low volumes due to inefficiencies in their design."

For more information, visit csifl.net or call Garner at  (813) 505-6302.