08/24/2026
Sound.
The ability to hear clearly and comfortably has always been an essential for us.
Being in a 4000SF all concrete former factory is not what sound designers dream of.
But the room has character. It's alive, and it has soul.
How many people have been there before us over the last century? How many conversations soaked in, how many tears sown, how many voices heard?
Countless.
So since day 1 we've embraced the space and have loved it since first laying eyes on it.
But as we've grown, our system -- for as mighty as it is, has been unable to accurately capture the beauty and power of what's happening and deliver it to all sections of seating.
Until this weekend.
Awhile back we were able to purchase another pre-owned set of line array speakers (the speakers that are angled on a ½ circle to help sound reach everyone equally) with subwoofers (the thump!) identical to the pre-owned ones we first started with.
But they used to sit on the stage, in the back by the brick wall. We had no monitors (a significant challenge!) and our team just went with it. No complaints, no “I wish we had something different” – just gratitude.
So now we have more sound…but how do we cover the whole room?
We brought in our friends and experts who advised us, and helped guide the installation.
But it wasn’t just audio hurdles, there was the very real issue – how to hang them (instead of being on the poles they came with). This is where we see having a community of people who are empowered to think creatively pays massive dividends.
Our beloved guitarist Ray was working in his home and installing some metal piping as railing. Bob was over helping get the railing hung, and as they chatted the idea came to be. Making from scratch a metal fitting from pipe that is screwed into the ceiling. BRILLIANT.
Then there was the challenge of running all the cables…and making it look clean and organized. Bob stepped in and stepped up as he does…piecing together PVC with cut outs for access to the cables…and then painting it matte black and securing it to the ceiling. Incredible.
So we coordinated a team of people to help install the new gear, and Daron really led the team in precision with his expertise. Jeff and Ray were right there with Bob and Daron making sure everything was secure, tidy, and accurate.
As always, there were some challenges (broken tapcons!), but the team pivoted without batting an eye.
Then we tested the system and introduced IEM’s (in-ear monitors), which keeps the stage volume down allowing the sound system to do what it was designed for.
The result?
The start of a new era at CRE8.
The team never sounded better, and the room was immersed in high fidelity stereo sound. Every spot covered – from Divine Desserts to the Welcome Center.
Some of the comments last night:
- “I heard sounds and parts I’ve never before heard. The clarity was unreal. It felt like the sound you hear in a high end place like a concert hall.”
- “I can’t really put into words what that felt like. It is gorgeous. I love to sing, and it was so moving that I could not even sing. It gave me goose bumps, and I was overcome with tears at the beauty. Honestly, to me it sounded like heaven.”
- “I thought it was great before. Now, it’s next level.”
- “It was cool” (Nate) lol
We also want to recognize the worship team and worship band, who came in multiple nights last week to help, test, and tweak. And our operations team leader Jessica, who shows up with her team when the room is empty to do the work no one sees. Cleaning, organizing, prepping.
So many people worked together and contributed ideas, creative design, manual labor, talent, and finances for the expansion.
With heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation, on behalf of all those who will experience the sacrifice of your hard work and selfless contributions, we say Thank You!
This is Together Forward.
