The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Naples and the installations made by Belltron
Date: November 26, 2013
Naples is one of the most important cities of Italy, full of syncretism that echoes amongst the people and the structures that enliven the city. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the most important Catholic shrines in the south of Italy for its historical importance and because it is the home of the sacred relics of San Gennaro, duly preserved and honoured inside this Cathedral.
The current architecture is the result of many interventions that have taken place over the centuries and which have incorporated or modified the original structure. In fact, a great deal of archaeological and historical periods can be seen inside the Cathedral: from the early Christians to the contemporary traces of the last war.
BELLTRON GM860 Cast bell controller
The imposing facade of the Cathedral is an impressive vision in all its magnificence. Two of the five bells in the bell tower are still working and are activated by the Belltron GM 860 cast bell controller.
Although the Belltron GM860 cast bell controller is exceeded by more technologically sophisticated equipment, it is fully functional for the requirements of the Cathedral. The connections between the cast bell controller and the bells was carried out using twisted pair. Ten quick function buttons provide an easy to use system suitable even for beginners and allow you to: enable or inhibit daily or weekly programming, adjust the clock strike, quick play special programs such as: funerals, solemn events, etc.., check service programs (ex.. turning on lights and heating, opening doors and gates, alarm systems, etc..) - all with just the simple touch of a finger.
The Belltron cast bell controller allows you to manage and program some of the functions via Web Browser, Wireless, Ethernet, Internet or Mobile phone. The GM 860 has the ability to store up to 1,000 remote controlled melodies using the internal screen and keypad or using an external piano-type keyboard (optional). The perpetual liturgical calendar allows you to organize the melodies to be played during the liturgical year. All programs can be called up by number. Each sound may be repeated, copied, edited, speed adjusted, manipulated in any way and be played in sequence, for any number of minutes or times.
The high quality of the product is due to the design and manufacturing realised inside the company whose main intent is to satisfy its customers.
Belltron audio systems: GL series speakers, digital mixer BPA 245, BA 250 power amplifiers, microphones
The inside of the Cathedral has three naves and several chapels and alcoves. Owing to the size of the Cathedral and its shape it was believed to have difficult acoustics; instead, the environment has a good sound quality and this is the reason why the church is often the scene of important concerts.
Nevertheless, the parish priest of the Cathedral, Fr. Vincenzo Papa, in 2011 decided to change the audio installation in order to improve the acoustics of the Cathedral. A company called Chiarizia S.N.C. f.lli ARRA Marco and Enrico was contacted and consequently proposed the Belltron GL series of speakers to be ideal and top of the sound systems for places of worship.
The GL series of speakers are a line array speaker system, characterized by a linear frequency response, good angle dispersion, powerful tone correction, excellent intelligibility and natural vocal and music reproduction. This series of Belltron speakers brings warmth, energy and pleasure to the heart of the congregation. The latest technologies of analysis, design and manufacture of a professional sound reinforcement system are concentrated in these speakers. These loudspeakers are certainly the most ideal systems for churches that frequently host concerts as they are able to reproduce the tones and frequencies of all musical instruments with an impressive realism. The installation of the sixteen speakers along the nave, and eight in each aisle, create an acoustic environment in which the music seems to exceed the walls.
The thirty two GL series speakers are backed up by the installation of two preamplified digital mixers of the Belltron BPA245 series, five cardiod phantom gooseneck microphones and seven Belltron BA250 power amplifiers two of which were donated by Belltron. The GL loud speakers are appropriately equalized by the BPA245 digital mixers to allow for good quality sound with excellent tone quality and intelligibility of the voice of the priest. The microphones are characterized by high rejection to acoustic feedback, to which they are poorly sensitive. The series of the BA250 power amplifiers give volume and energy to every sound emitted by the voice and musical instruments.
SM9950 Electronic digital organ and liturgical player
The aisles, along with their chapels and alcoves, testify the various phases of the Neapolitan art and architecture over the centuries. Among the many chapels is that of Sant'Aspreno where the usual weekday Mass is celebrated and where a part of the parishioners can easily be accommodated without becoming too distracted.
The ARRA’ brothers decided to install a sound system in this chapel that is disconnected from that of the entire Cathedral and which can be used autonomously.
The Belltron SM9950 digital organ and liturgical music player has been installed inside this chapel. A professional device for the faithful reproduction of the sound of the pipe organ. Although the Cathedral of Naples has a fine old pipe organ, Father Vicenzo Papa told us that he uses the SM 9950 a lot during celebrations in the Cathedral. Having 100 registers and 50 customizable presets this electronic digital organ is essential for churches that do not have an organ or organist but wish to maintain the tradition of liturgical music during celebrations. The SM 9950 is an electronic digital organ, digital recorder and liturgical music player. It can be connected to any midi keyboard or disused organ consequently allowing the parish organist to create, play and record melodies.
The combination of this vibrant instrument has allowed the Cathedral of Naples to benefit considerably regarding the acoustics and has received much acclaim from both the congregation and by the instrument players who have been guests for concerts in the Cathedral.
