Main church St. Michaelis / Michel
PROTONES SYSTEMS REALIZES MODERN SOUND SYSTEM IN THE MAIN CHURCH ST. MICHAELIS, HAMBURG
The PROTONES SYSTEMS department has successfully completed a major project in the heart of Hamburg: the installation of a state-of-the-art sound system in the main church of St. Michaelis - better known as "Michel". As one of the most famous landmarks in the Hanseatic city, the Michel is not only a place of worship, but also a venue for concerts, readings and cultural events. In order to meet these diverse acoustic requirements, the existing sound reinforcement technology was completely overhauled - with the highest standards of sound quality, speech intelligibility and architectural integration.
Precise technology for a sensitive environment
The special challenge lay in the combination of state-of-the-art audio technology and the sensitive handling of a listed building. Systems from leading manufacturers were used: Kling & Freitag VIDA M and Pan Acoustics from the Pan-Beam series. Both product lines stand for excellent sound fidelity, directional dispersion and maximum efficiency - ideal prerequisites for the acoustically complex architecture of a church interior with a long reverberation time and large volume.
The targeted selection of these technologies ensured uniform and precise speech transmission throughout the nave - regardless of seating position or event format. The new system also provides a reliable, powerful sound basis for musical performances - such as organ concerts, classical ensembles or choirs.
Intensive preparation: planning with foresight
The project was preceded by a detailed planning phase. A tailor-made concept was developed in close consultation with the parish, the conservation authorities and other involved parties. PROTONES took an integrative approach: several on-site appointments, acoustic measurements and systematic listening tests formed the basis for the subsequent implementation.
This planning phase was essential - not only to determine the optimal system positions, but also to avoid disrupting the ongoing operation of the church. After all, church services, tourist tours and cultural events had to be able to continue throughout the entire duration of the project. This is where PROTONES' many years of experience in the technical implementation of complex projects under live conditions proved its worth. Thanks to precise scheduling, clearly defined work steps and close coordination with all trades, the installation could be carried out without any major restrictions for visitors or the church congregation.
Invisible technology - audible quality
Particular attention was paid to the visual restraint of the technology. The components were installed in such a way that they blend harmoniously into the overall historical appearance of the church - almost invisible to the audience, but with a clearly audible effect. This type of integration requires not only technical know-how but also architectural sensitivity - a strength that PROTONES SYSTEMS stands for in the field of system integration.
Future-proof solution with service guarantee
The new sound system will provide St. Michaelis main church with a future-proof solution that meets current requirements while leaving room for future formats. As the responsible service provider, PROTONES is also responsible for the maintenance and first-level support of the system. In this way, the system's performance is ensured in the long term - another building block for the long-term partnership between PROTONES and the traditional church community.
