Soundroom+and+Technologies+Planning

Evolving Soundroom and Technologies from the C3HUU Sanctuary
Our C3HUU Sanctuary has hosted numerous events since its reconstruction to rave reviews. This web page is devoted to gathering Concerns & Issues about evolving the Soundroom capabilities and other Multimedia Technologies in the Sanctuary. We have captured each along with status and assessed some priorities to plan future action.

The people who speak and perform at C3HUU such as our minister and the many professional musicians that grace our stage put many hours of preparation into the excellent content we enjoy at C3HUU. The goal of this page: to insure that the excellent content of events presented in our Sanctuary is matched with excellent live audio amplification which is accessible to those who are hearing impaired, and that any recordings maintain the excellent quality of the speakers and performers.

See the Table of Contents to the right for an outline of information on this wiki page where you can click on the link to go directly to that section. Some high level goals are listed in the first section. A table that follows summarizes Concerns and/or Issues received to date, and more detail is added in the section organizing Concern/Issue into categories.

High Level Goals
toc
 * Long term
 * [LTG1] Plan for frequent and repeatable production and archiving of Audio & Video recordings from sermons and performances held in the Sanctuary. As of Spring 2012, audio is readily captured from the Soundboard, but there is no set of microphones and other audio/video equipment set aside //solely// for recording Audio and/or Video (see STG2 below). The Soundroom has several different audio recorders, but no on site video equipment. High quality video recordings have been provided by different volunteers organized on a per event basis.
 * [LTG2] Provide "live" (or almost "live" time delayed) podcasts of the whole service at C3HUU; this will require changing of content or deleting material currently presented in the service that is unsuitable for podcast or broadcast.
 * [LTG3] Partner with other congregations, perhaps across the world, and share "virtual" services via remote teleconference or podcast.
 * [LTG4] Add fixed microphones, perhaps installed from the ceiling, that are always in place and usable with the existing sound system.
 * [LTG5] Provide for continued maintenance, management, monitoring, and reporting of status for all C3HUU technology investments supporting the Sanctuary presentations.
 * [LTG6] Improve the impact of natural lighting in the Sanctuary to enhance the space and eliminate glare and distraction that comes at certain times of year from the clear glass above the Sanctuary and behind the podium area.
 * Short term
 * [STG1] Upgrade and maintain all of the current audio recording capabilities so that more operators can easily record and assist in transferring audio for post-processing or direct podcasting
 * [STG2] Repair and enhance the audio amplification for hearing impaired to include support for Audio Loop enabled hearing devices.
 * [STG3] Develop design to separate recording from Sanctuary audio amplification including separate microphones and soundboard controls.
 * [STG4] Enhance the lighting capabilities for performances so that lighting setup is routine rather than a special, time consuming activity for each special event in the Sanctuary.
 * [STG5] Devise a simple plan for accommodating changes to the sound system required for performances which can be restored quickly with little chance for mistakes preparing for Sunday Services.

Summary Table of SR Tech Concerns & Issues
Issue (CI) ||~ Priority ||~ Urgency (When) ||~ Status ||~ CI Number ||~ Supports Goal ||~ Other Links || term || Several prior video recording efforts detailed at "Details" link and below. || CI002 || LTG2 || click here || term || Research begun, audio loop "necklace" donated, volunteer found to test (Morris) || CI003 || STG2 || click here || special e-mail addresses, web services, that are used in current Wikispace for multimedia (photos, video, & audio) sharing ||= Low ||= Long term || Some available now on Wikispace, what level of detail is required? || CI004 || LTG5 ||  || use sermon audio management system; document current system more completely. Replace aging or repeatedly failing parts. ||= Medium ||= Soon || There is a great deal of documentation on the Soundroom (SR ) setup, but it is not yet complete for the uninitiated. Create Sanctuary Technology System Overview. Maintain parts and replace parts that are failing such as the Tascam DR-03 recorder. || CI006 || STG1 || click here || digital effects and recording ||= Low ||= Long term || Brought up by some on Soundroom team. However, this upgrade looks to be low priority since the only major new capability is the separation of Soundboard control for Special Events and Services, see CI010. || CI009 || LTG5 ||  || LTG5 ||  || STG4 ||  || STG1 STG3 ||  || In the table above, Priority is the ranking among the Concerns or Issues listed as High, Medium or Low. Urgency is an assessment of how soon (when) this Concern or Issue should be addressed: ASAP, Soon, or "Long Term". We have not distinguished between a Concern, often a "statement of priority on a topic", or Interest, "a state of curiosity about a topic".
 * ~ Concern or
 * Upgrade the hearing impaired support as the current system is dated and finicky ||= High ||= Soon || Research begun on alternatives check link to right. The Phonic Ear system is still functioning and is maintainable. || CI001 || STG2 || click here ||
 * Install and manage video recording capability in sanctuary ||= Medium ||= Long
 * Test and create report on how to better support audio for hearing impaired ||= Medium ||= Long
 * Inventory of all electronic services:
 * Tracking of web pages for assessing popularity of sermon audio and sermon written materials (and impact of other outreach) ||= Medium ||= Soon || The capability exists today. Any Wikispace page has total number of hits/day or visitors per day for each page or whole site. BUT audio and printed sermons are posted together with no separate download statistics available. || CI005 || LTG5 || click here ||
 * Create a more reliable and simpler to
 * Better understanding by staff, board, and others working on sermon development of C3H multimedia (audio, video) capabilities and our potential. ||= Medium ||= Soon || Soundroom staff and other individuals have discussed various ways to enhance audio and potentially video capture and replay. Documentation is available on this Wiki; is it adequate for the other stakeholders? Who are all the stakeholders and how are they working together? || CI007 || STG1 ||  ||
 * Followup on options for podcast replay of entire service except select parts as done at Duke Chapel and elsewhere. ||= Medium ||= Soon || Duke University and UNC are able to podcast even when copyrighted music is part of the performance. How? There are some copyright permissions required here; who is able to pursue this further? || CI008 || LTG2 ||  ||
 * Upgrade Soundboard to include built in
 * Make sure that Soundboard setup is always restored to usable state for Sunday services after special events in the Sanctuary. ||= High ||= ASAP || Several times there have been problems, especially with cables for Sermon recording connected improperly after a special event. || CI010 || STG5
 * Upgrade sanctuary lighting system for performances and Sunday events. ||= High ||= Soon || Special events have required wiring strung all over to support rented or borrowed lighting systems. Sunday services at times could use updated lighting. Request for bid & proposal pending from a Greensboro pro. || CI011 || LTG1
 * Document complete Soundsystem, repair and upgrade existing microphones, and any other Soundsystem components both for special events & Sunday services ||= High ||= Soon || Several microphones are in need of repair and entire wireless system should be more reliable for special events and Sunday services. The entire system needs to be better documented. || CI012 || LTG5
 * Insuring that any Sensitive Personal Information or Copyrighted material is omitted from any online printed, or electronic reproduction from a service or presentation. ||= High ||= ASAP || There is increasing concern over privacy and the use of information posted and available online. Remedies have been proposed; a place to start is the UUA Privacy policy link. || CI013 || LTG5 || click here ||
 * Digitize entire archive of sermons on recorded media but not yet available online. This includes hundreds of CDs and dozens of audio tapes. ||= Low ||= Long term || Repeated request from older members of the congregation. If we get a volunteer, the CD archive and some tapes are available. || CI014 || LTG1 ||  ||
 * Determine alternatives to allow natural lighting in the Sanctuary to enhance the space and eliminate glare and distraction that comes at certain times of year. ||= Med ||= Long term || SM: Limit or diffuse the sunlight coming in the south windows in the sanctuary. Many LOVE the natural light we have, but on the 4-5 Sundays/year, the direct sunlight is disruptive to service. Perhaps a fixed wooden awning-type shade on the outside or inside of the building. Blinds were priced at one point, Gary G pointed out numerous concerns and they were expensive ($3000+); is there an inexpensive fix? || CI015 || LTG6 ||  ||

Accessibility for Hearing Impaired

 * [CI001] Phonic Ear Easy Listener system is over 15 years old, 4 of the original 8 receivers remain and require monthly maintenance. This is still a serviceable system, but the receivers are reaching end of life and static from the headsets is a recurring complaint.
 * [CI003] Support audio loop or other built-in Assisted Listening Device technology (see separate web page here) for hearing impaired in C3H Sanctuary as this provides better support for hard of hearing with hearing aids that support this technology and understand how to turn on support in their hearing aids.

Communications & Process Enhancements

 * [CI007] Integration with communications and sermon development where audio, and potentially video, replay of sermons is always available. Some concerns that sermon authors must be aware of were covered in the SouthEast District Technologies in Congregations March meeting in Greenville, NC. When "podcasts" of audio or video are always made available then sermon authors should insure that they: a) always give references for other peoples works during the reading b) any printed copy must give more detailed attribution and links to avoid copyright infringement issues
 * [CI008] Followup and determine what options are available to replay entire service, except for Joys & Concerns and perhaps other parts of a service not suited for replay.
 * [CI005] Information on how many people access a web page is essential when running a campaign or for feedback on how many people REALLY got a particular message. With Wikispaces.com EVERY web page has statistics available from this page: @http://c3h.wikispaces.com/space/stats/overview
 * [CI010] Several times over the past two years the Soundboard and connections were completely rewired for a special event, then not rewired correctly for a Sunday service. The system either needs to be setup and not moved around, or always returned to proper state or special events need to use a separate interface to the sound system.
 * [CI013] Privacy is increasingly hard to come by in this interconnected world! There are many things C3HUU can do to insure information posted in an audio release, the printed services bulletin, and the online newsletter either maintain an appropriate level of privacy, or have a password protected, restricted, members only repository setup. There is a real tension between free exchange and gathering of information and insuring that information is only used as intended and allowed by law.

Education on Sanctuary Technologies

 * [CI007] A web page or presentation that summarizes how things work in the sanctuary and show on a diagram, where things are is needed. An operations manual is available and revised to include more current Soundroom setup, //but// it is written for a trained Soundroom operator.

Sound System & SR Enhancements

 * [CI006] Documentation of current setup is great for a musician, engineer, or scientist who is experienced with a soundsystem and soundboard operation. However there is little overview documentation showing function and main roles of people using the system.
 * A Sanctuary Technology System Overview document is needed
 * A simpler audio management system is needed, whether purchased as an integrated system or built from readily available commercial services as today's audio management process is built today from commercially supported hardware and software.
 * Maintain aging components such as the failing Tascam DR-03 recorder and the amplifier, switch, and wires that lead to the Commons speakers and have had continuous static 2 of the past 3 times they were used.
 * [CI009] Upgrade Soundboard to gain a simpler interface and built in digital effects as proposed by Soundroom team. Perhaps a better requirement here is to seek a small, dedicated, much simpler Soundboard for services and reserve the large Soundboard for special events. This way the Soundboard would not be relocated and rewired for special events, leading to problems during Sunday services that follow Saturday evening special events.
 * [CI011, CI012] Document and upgrade lighting and microphone system, especially wireless microphones, for special events and Sunday services. Several wireless mics are now useless. Many congregations have microphone arrays dropping down from the ceiling to supplement fixed microphones. Also, the lighting is special setup every time, even for Sunday early morning event in the Winter where ambient light is poor on parts of the stage. Request for bid & proposal pending from a Greensboro pro.

Remote Sermon Access

 * [STCI008] Podcast capability is now functioning for the sermon only using a Wikispaces embedded audio player. An action: pursue the same arrangement Duke Univ and UNC have with the recording industry for "retransmission" of copyrighted music so that the entire sermon, except for select parts such as Joys & Concerns, may included in the podcast audio. These are not replays of original works, but rearrangements which is a legal distinction worth noting. Fred W from Duke (Marni G's partner) has information on this topic. It has been suggested that somehow C3HUU could collaborate with our UNC UU College group and the collaboration may allow for coordination with the UNC agreement with the recording industry.

Administration

 * [CI004] Inventory all assets related to Soundroom operation. There is no current inventory of the Soundroom gear that is church owned vs loaned.

Related Web Pages

 * C3HUU Soundroom summary wikispace page
 * Soundroom Audio Recorder and a shorter summary printed and posted in Soundroom)
 * C3H Sermon Audio - the wikipace page which has an embedded table of all online sermon audio
 * @Sanctuary Audio Recording - wikispace page with background and notes
 * Soundroom Repairs Tracking
 * Communications & Technologies Committee