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Sound Sanctuary

‘Tis the Season

If you are a regular reader of “Sound Sanctuary” then you have probably read my holiday primers before. If this is the first time, I will give you the outline. Whether you mix at one house of worship or a number of them, the holiday season can offer more challenges than any other time of the year. Each season, I put together a list of my advice, my rules and anything else I have learned during the previous year. It is my hope that this information will help you navigate (in a sane manner) though the holiday season.

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Earning Money in the Worship Audio World

As you know, "Sound Sanctuary" seeks to find common ground between those audio techs who volunteer their services and those who are paid to provide audio expertise. This month's installment only covers those of you who currently make money (or wish to make money) in worship sound. However, if you are an audio volunteer, please read on.

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Rule the (Sound) Waves

It has been about two years since I wrote on compressors. I am re-addressing this subject because, in the last two years, I have learned a lot about the use of this piece of outboard gear, and I would like to share that information with you all. I think of myself as a sound expert, but that doesn't mean I am not constantly striving to improve my audio techniques. Very much like faith, audio is not stagnant. We should all be learning more and honing our skills as long as we are in the biz.

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Practical Bidding

I want to share some of my ideas about bidding (and getting the contract) on a worship sound system. I realize that many of you don't do installs or bid on installations. However, at some point, every house of worship will need new gear and, possibly, an entire makeover. So it is very likely that you may be asked for your recommendations on what piece of gear or entire system will serve your house's needs best.

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Turning Lead Into Gold

I have promised (or threatened) more than once that I would address how to solder properly. And that is the subject of this installment of Sound Sanctuary. However, I have got to tell you all about an amazing outreach program I have had the pleasure to be involved with over the last few weeks. The organization is called WOW JAM or WOW (Winning Our World) International.

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Your Heavenly Tool Box

Before we get into this month's writings, I want to make a few shout-outs to some of the readers. It always amazes me how intelligent and thoughtful "Sound Sanctuary" readers are. I know we all want to do a good job at our individual houses of worship, but maybe we all work a little harder because of Who we are really working for.

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God is Everywhere

This month's Sound Sanctuary is not really about the omnipotent nature of God. We all know that God is everywhere (no matter what God you believe in). This month, I would like to talk about expanding your worship house sound system to other parts of your house and into other buildings that may exist on your church's grounds.

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Reaching Out

{mosimage}There is no doubt that spring is in the air (at least it is here in Southern California). I know that some of you are still getting rain, snow and cold weather, but those long warm, days are just ahead of us. And what does that mean for many of us in the worship sound biz? It means that the "Outreach" season is upon us.

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Inviting a Pro

As I was pondering on what to write about for this month's Sound Sanctuary, I couldn't help thinking about how many really interesting e-mails I have received over the years. They have not only been interesting but I have picked up a lot of useful information as a result of the e-mails and the sound techs who write them. I just want to say that many of you out there who read this column appear to have more knowledge, experience and greater understanding of mixing worship sound than myself. One of these months, I will list all of the amazing people who have written to me over the years.

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Keeping Your Gear Fit

In January, I went to the Winter NAMM show, and I was very impressed with what I heard and saw. There were a lot of new products that seemed to be more methodically designed. What I mean is, more thought as to what the end users' needs and purposes are. It seemed like research and development had improved, and the quality of construction seemed better.

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Sound and Your Congregation

A short while ago, I received e-mail from a reader named Tim Wright of Des Moines, IA. Tim wrote me about questions and concerns his congregation had with regard to the effect bass (sub frequencies) may have on pacemakers and internal heart defibrillators.

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Diving INto the Big Niche in 2011

I love the New Year. It's a chance for us all to do better than we did during the last year. This is true for all aspects of life. However, I am discussing live worship sound and how you can improve yourself in that arena this New Year. As for everything else, there are plenty of TV and radio shrinks to help you there. So, where do we begin?

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