Ovation Audio will be on site this week to finish up work on our new sound system and train our sound technicians and staff on how to use it. We expect to switch over from the temporary system to the new one by next weekend.

Ovation technicians will also attend both Masses next Sunday, June 28, to make adjustments to volume levels and equalization, as sound is absorbed differently when the church is empty vs. when it is full.

Mother of God Church is a complex space to amplify, which is why we employed an independent acoustic architect with more than 40 years’ experience in designing systems for churches and concert venues like ours.

Here are some important things to know:

• Sound waves are subject to the law of physics, so both the spoken word and music will sound slightly different depending on where you are in the room. In fact, there can even be subtle differences whether you are seated or standing. But most people won’t notice.
• About 13 years ago, we applied acoustic panels to the back wall of the church underneath the choir loft to absorb the sound waves coming from the main speakers. This greatly reduced the echo that bounced off the wall and hung in the air, muddying the sound and making the spoken word less intelligible.
• That echo effect also happens in the transept of the church, with sound from the speakers bouncing off the large stained-glass windows and walls above the confessionals. Acoustic treatment in these areas would be very expensive and detract from the artwork. If you have difficulty hearing, we suggest that you’ll have the best listening experience sitting about four pews back from the front (or further). If you wear Blue Tooth-enabled hearing aids, you can also download the “Listen Everywhere” app from Google Play or Apple’s App Store onto your smartphone and select “MOG Listen.” (Note: This will be available once the new sound system is fully up and running at the end of June.)