Today's worship sound has potentially never been better. What I mean is that the equipment and technology is the best it has ever been. That could be said about all live sound, but we are specifically talking about houses of worship. Not only is there a potential for high-quality sound, but also for some very loud services. You may mix in a loud church or in a quiet church. The point is, you should know the needs and desires of your congregation and find a decibel level that will satisfy all of them to the best of your ability.
The Multi-Generational Challenge
The scenario that I most often come across when I am mixing is one in which the congregation of a particular worship house is multi-generational – a church with as many moms and dads as grandmas and granddads. Not to mention a healthy youth population. Of course, worship bands are more popular than ever, and modern worship music is more rocked-out than ever. Put all of that together, and you can end up with some very loud music.
This may be very good for the youth group, and tolerable to the moms and dads. But the older generation is usually more sensitive to loud music, and that group of people tithes the most. In other words, the elder folks keep the church doors open. You can see the obvious dilemma.
Also, people who have been attending the same house of worship for decades become very invested spiritually, emotionally and financially. However, nobody wants their house of worship to be solely filled with attendees born before the Great Depression. Not that I have any problems with this group of people. On the contrary, the elders often are filled with wisdom and good advice. However, it is just good sense to have your worship house cover the overall spectrum of the human life span.
So the obvious question is, what is the game plan for satisfying the sound needs of as many people as possible in your house of worship? The fact is, there is always a happy medium in worship or secular sound. You just have to find it.
Know Where You Stand
Start by getting yourself a decibel meter. This can be an invaluable tool with regards to your "game plan" – especially if you mix at a variety of worship houses. Many churches have a dB limit that cannot be exceeded during a service. The potential problem is that 100dBs at the third row may push your dB meter to only 95dBs at the mixing console. If your house dB limit is 95, you may think you are doing well when you are not. You will have to get into the sanctuary prior to a service and put on some canned music. Set your level at the mixer to the house dB limit and then walk around the room with your decibel meter. If there is no formal dB level, use your common sense and pick a reasonable one. Check the meter at as many locations as you need to get an idea of how the sound travels in that particular room. You will inevitably find the sweet spots for sound and the hot spots for volumes (they may be one in the same). There is no doubt that, in short order, you will have a new understanding of the sound characteristics of your sanctuary.
There is one other thing to keep in mind. Once your room fills with the congregation, the decibel level will drop. We know bodies absorb sound, but we don't want grandmas' body absorbing the sound of your lead guitar. There is obviously a balancing act here.
Time to Speak Up
Okay, now that you know the room, what can you do? At this point, let us divide our efforts into two camps. That would be your home church and any other worship house in which you mix. We are separating these venues because you should have more influence at your home church than elsewhere.
So, let's say you are hearing reflected sounds off particular walls or windows and you know that you will have to cover those areas with curtains or sound absorbing materials. This could cost many dollars. It seems to me that if you tell your home church staff that this work is necessary, they will be more likely to listen to you than an outsider. You may only suggest that the seating arrangement in your sanctuary be changed to avoid the hot spots in the room. Once again, if it's your house, you should have more pull. However, I am not saying you shouldn't share your newly-found info with the powers that be at any of the houses of worship in which you work. Tell them everything you discover. They may act on your suggestions and praise your efforts.
Match the Sound to the H.O.W.
Of course, not all houses have a full worship band. You may be mixing everything from a single preacher to any number of singers and musicians. Whatever you are working with, you want to keep the sound level reasonable or at the prescribed limit. Worship bands tend to push the dB envelope, but I have mixed some very loud preachers. If the sermon volume is going through the roof, you will have to ride the fader, or maybe you can patch in compressor before the service. A nice compressor can keep the lid on the most enthusiastic preacher. For that matter, I like to compress all the singers if I can. If you are mixing on a nice digital board, the compressors should be at your fingertips.
I haven't touched on the politics of volume, mainly because that potentially involves lots of different personalities and egos. Communication and people skills are almost as important as a solid foundation in the Lord when it comes to dealing with all the types of people that show up to church on Sunday. But the discussion of the subject will have to wait for another time. See you next month.
