Custom Sound Booth
Redeemer Reformed Church
Golden Valley, MN
Redeemer Reformed Church recorded services - but with fully remote services in 2020 - the capacity of the existing sound booth was getting tested. While the church was closed, a makeshift desk was formed. It was clearly time for an upgrade.
Members volunteered to modify the back pew to allow needed space in the sound booth. They then faced the decision of either purchasing a Craigslist desk and making due or pursuing a custom desk. As members, my husband and I heard the price of the Craigslist desk, did the calculations, a figured a custom desk would only be a little bit more.
I measured the equipment and the allowed space. We discussed orientation of equipment to be less visible at the back of the church. We also valued the worship experience of volunteers at the sound booth. We held back the height of the privacy panels to ensure a clear view to the pulpit.
The desk design simply uses 2x4’s, 3/4” veneer plywood, and some finish trim. I designed the cutaway edge of the trim to mimic the edge of the pew end-panels. The tryptic and scale of the trim boards mimics the pulpit design. The entire design is solidified by the stain matching meticulously tested by my husband.
Here are some of my favorite features to keep in mind if you are designing a sound booth:
Although we started with grommets cut into the desk surface - we ended up doing a 3” deep cut along most of the back edge of the desk so all sound and mic cords could waterfall below the desk
Wire management is key - below the desk surface there are several baskets for cords to follow to the side of the booth
The rectangular cut outs are for an outlet and master switch to be mounted into the desk
There is a 4’ power cord mounted below the desk to accommodate all necessary transmitters, chargers, panels, etc.
Adjustable shelving along the leg of the desk will fit equipment now and in the future
