BUENA PARK, Calif. — The Way International is a unique organization. Tucked away in the heart of America's farmland – near the village of New Knoxville in northwestern Ohio – The Way is a worldwide, nondenominational Biblical research, teaching and fellowship ministry.
The Way Teaching Center's PM5D console
Since 1942, the ministry has provided research for the study and practical application of the Bible, "setting before people the astonishing accuracy and practicality of God's Word and letting people decide for themselves whether or not to believe it or use it."
Planning any type of change-over of our systems, says audio coordinator Carey Williams, took everyone into account. "We made adjustments in everyone's schedule, and time-windows for each installation. We all worked together to make it happen, and we allowed plenty of time for each task."
New digital consoles at four audio positions replacing analog desks are all from Yamaha: a PM5D for FOH and a PM5D for monitors in the Teaching Center hall, a PM5D for recording in the hall, and a DM2000 in a separate recording studio. Within the Victor Paul Wierwille Prevailing Word Auditorium complex, the 1500-seat Teaching Center has full facilities for worship as well as musical and dramatic presentations.
Recording studio engineer Roger Kuntz was the first to investigate the digital alternative, contacting Chip Allen and ICB Audio & Video (Cincinnati) who set up a demo of the Yamaha DM2000. Kuntz was sold on the DM2000. Impressed with the console's versatility, he took to the digital learning adventure. Kuntz uses a Fairlight D.R.E.A.M. Satellite 24-track D.A.W. for recording and editing, and Wave Lab 6 with Wave mastering and restoration bundles for sweetening and pre-mastering.
Meanwhile, the analog consoles in the Teaching Center were due for another recapping. A demo of the PM5D convinced the audio engineers that this console would work for monitors and front-of-house sound, but they were undecided about its use for recording. "After much consideration," says Williams, "they saw the benefit of all three positions having the same console. Each audio engineer would know how the console is managed and could step in and operate the different positions."
The monitor console was the first of the three PM5Ds to be installed, followed by front of house, and the auditorium recording console. Monitor engineer David Green, who greatly enjoys the benefits of storing a scene per song, suggests for those making the transition to digital: "Allow plenty of time to integrate the new console into the sound system and to work with the performers."In addition, he recommends understanding how the input and output patch library functions for the work done on each scene.
"As our ministry band is rehearsing to perform a song, I can take time to dial in my levels and effects and then store the scene on the PM5D," comments recording engineer Scott Froelich. "Then, when it's show time, I have a smile on my face instead of beads of sweat on my brow." And house engineer Mark Richards comments on the Yamaha digital sound ("so much cleaner, crisper, and properly produced") while reinforcing the notion that the digital learning curve is worth every bit of the effort.
