Sound Sanctuary

The last several houses of worship we have done were typical, both in terms of technical requirements and the installation process. There were the minor yet expected frustrations of redesign, product returns and reprogramming of DSPs. There is almost always a point however, when budgets collapse and technical requirements are set aside as more urgent needs like carpets and chairs go into cost overrun mode.

Many months ago, we discussed the challenges that churches go through when moving from temporary facilities to permanent locations. This is typically a challenge, both in adjusting operational methods and taking equipment out of road cases and bolting it down (or hanging it up) properly, safely and efficiently. I'd like to take one look even further back and see how we got the gear going in the first place.

Something I have said often is that many churches are willing to pay for a new sound and lighting system, but few are willing to actually own it. At the time, I was discussing the lack of willingness to train staff and really get involved in overall technical learning. But there may be different reasons why not owning is a good thing.

Depending on the financial organization of a church, especially if it's reasonably healthy, there are options available other than paying cash for technical systems. Using the credit card may lessen the burden on cash flow–and garner enough travel points to help a sponsor a long-desired mission trip or church retreat–or you may consider leasing (and making the payments with the credit card).

Remember in the last article we said, "First, the person can only mix what he gets, and second, he can only mix what he gets!" After much discussion, we decided to add a little more to the subject. Once again, it was off to Ron Ross' home studio to see what we could simplify into a few hundred words–yeah, right.

Keyboards are the subject we seem to get asked about most besides drums. How do we mic them, and how do we mix them? It is immediately important to distinguish between electric pianos, electronic keyboards and acoustic pianos. They may look the same on the stage plot, but getting them hooked up to the FOH console can be very different.

So many times we have discussed the evil trinity of church sound: incorrect speaker placement, stage wedges and live drum kits. These always seem to be a dark and persistently integral part of the learning curve when it comes to getting great sound to the congregation. There are many reasons why this is the case, but there are only two general reasons why this destroys the faith of the FOH volunteer and his ability to do a great job. First, the person can only mix what he gets, and second… he can only mix what he gets!

One of the main purposes of this column has always been to instigate, implore, motivate and at least hint softly that Houses of Worship need to strive for their own levels of excellence and knowledge when it comes to their technical systems. We can't do it all for you… but we can help.

More often than not, there is a distinct lack of brand names mentioned here, for the simple reason that deciding on function is usually the primary problem and that brand names mean little if the technical task can not ultimately be accomplished. And there are more than a few parameters for every technical task, including things like operator proficiency and budget. On an item-to-item situation these things are usually handled fairly well, but when it comes to a system-wide equipment choice, where even a modest level of integration is involved, it's nearly impossible to click the Internet and make good choices. This is where many good consultants usually end up clashing with otherwise good and sensible church elders.

Please don't touch the dial; there is nothing wrong. At the time of this writing, Richard Rutherford is immersed in the House of Worship portion of Pro Production 2005, so yours truly is sitting in. Yes, some magazine editors/sound guys actually go to church and therefore get tapped with the inevitable requests for donated gear and services. This is my latest take on that sticky subject.

Last issue we discussed–in general terms–AV team building, task division, and a little about training. A couple more principles of good team building are in the areas of participation and excellence.

I really like what Bob Russell (Southeast Christian Church–Seven Principles of Church Growth) has to say about some of these things, and I highly recommend the book for gaining more clarity on the overall subject. Excuse me as I paraphrase.

Last year is now history. It is clear that the lessons we learn today give us the information we need tomorrow. One great lesson to learn may be that micro-management of your technical ministries is a vision-killing, energy-sucking, exhausting waste of energy.

That is exactly my thought as I look at the piles of technical literature, product reviews and magazines that are neatly stacked in alphabetized unread order in my office. How the heck can we absorb all this knowledge and put it to good use (or discard it)? I truly empathize with the worship leaders, executive pastors and AV technicians who are overwhelmed by the vastness of products and information being tossed their way.