Pro Audio Systems (PAS) has been supplying professional audio, lighting and AV equipment for purchase, hire and installation for more than 30 years. One particular area of growth for the Bradford-based company has been the house of worship sector, with PAS having assisted with the supply and design of several audio systems for mosques, both in the city and further afield.

Fastline, which is also based in Bradford and specialises in mosque installations, has been working with PAS since 2004. With a background in electrical engineering and a keen interest in sound, founder Wajid Baz felt that the audio provision in many mosques was not up to scratch. In many cases, he believed the clarity and coverage – absolute essentials in houses of worship – were inadequate. So Baz set up Fastline to deliver bespoke systems that could overcome the difficulties presented by what are often unique spaces.  
Most recently, Fastline and PAS have collaborated on installations in Bradford Central Mosque; Masjid Us Sunnah in Nelson, Lancashire; Masjid Bilal in Batley; and Baitul Aman in London. Each installation presented different challenges but, as Wajid explains, PAS’s extensive portfolio of brands, coupled with its system-design expertise, means he is always able to select products that meet a project’s technical and budgetary requirements: “Very often, the mosques are not purpose-built, so designing loudspeaker layouts for the direction of prayer is probably the biggest challenge. A member of the PAS team will often accompany me to the site, and using various software-based applications, can accurately predict the performance of a speaker system prior to its installation, taking into account the position of the imam and the congregation.”
 
Loudspeakers from a range of brands were chosen for the recent installations. A system designed by PAS in conjunction with Fastline for Bradford Central Mosque saw JBL loudspeakers installed, supported by Yamaha DME processing, while at Masjid Us Sunnah, Martin Audio’s best-selling CDD Series of speakers were chosen for their size-to-output ratio. A combination of Tannoy ceiling and wall-mounted units were deployed at Masjid Bilal, while at Baitul Aman, the unique room shapes and decor meant that Tannoy ceiling speakers were the only option.
 
Although the choice of loudspeakers depends on several factors, Baz tends to gravitate towards a couple of go-to elements for his mosque installations. “Sound quality and ease of use are the two key fundamentals, as is the challenge of simulating as closely as possible the natural echo of the Great Mosque of Mecca,” he says. “Given that many of the rooms we install systems into have little consideration for acoustics, this is achieved through the use of reverb and delay. As a result, the need to eliminate any potential feedback comes more sharply into focus. It becomes crucial that once a system is set up to everyone’s satisfaction, it is left as is.

Fastline’s reputation for successful installations in this sector has seen Wajid’s vision grow from strength to strength, with the company a popular choice for not only new installations but also the upgrade and improvement of existing systems. The wide variety of mosque interiors means that a one-size-fits-all approach is far from ideal. Working closely with PAS to determine the best product combinations for each job is something that adds real value, according to Wajid.

“I’ve always taken advantage of the chance to further my knowledge through training offered by PAS and some of the manufacturers they represent,” he adds. “Combining this with a great deal of first-hand experience of the technologies in action enables me to offer my clients what I believe to be the highest possible levels of service and value for money.”