Tech Talk

The Church Sound Associates

posted Feb 03, 2009

People contribute to the sound production in the churches.Is it necessary to train them?

YOUR TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES

Time to talk about some annoying but blessed issues of the business-talking about people and their contributions to our "high calling"-the technical ministry.

In a setting, either in church auditorium or open air crusade ground where PA is needed, it is obvious that both speech and music are going to be delivered by people. Sometimes professional MCs, pastors or impromptu speakers and or musicians with their various instruments. These are associates of the audio ministry. They in their ways and activities either enhance good production or negatively affect same. Whilst the man at the console is turning up and down buttons and knobs, much also depends on the associate who is speaking or singing, if we are aiming at a flawless production.

Many would say its all about the business of the mix man to command what the people need. But lets note that the simple education and enlightenment of our associates can help along way. So Mr. Church Soundman, this is a new assignment. We are not supposed to ignore what they do and how they do it. lets receive the spirit of love for our associates. Neither are we supposed to become red, lay blames or point fingers at who is responsible for the unacceptable production.

I had had an experience sometime ago. I left one church as soon as the praise and worship session ended one Sunday morning. I hoped to catch up with the praise time in another church. I was invited to come and assist the soundman in correcting some issues they used to have in the heat of a hot session of praise and worship. The session had almost ended when I walked in. I actually missed why I was invited, but I was so much impressed by one thing. The live sound production was good, no blind spots, no clipping, it was great. I said the sound man was great. The next session, the announcer took over. The audio was clean, clear and moderately loud, in fact ok. This time, it wasn't the soundman that was too much. It was the moderator that enhanced the magic. Great phonetics, boldness, confidence, etc. The Pastor sounded also great also. I concluded the choir must have ended great too.

Compared to the former church I left, there, no body dares to raise his amplitude. There it is believed that the human thinks in his heart, equipment is to do its job of amplification amplifies. Then the sound man keeps opening the knobs till the PAG is exhausted and the wicked and the speakers scream in. How about the shy testifiers, timid visitors and so on?. For God's sake they are all our associates. The make up the body of Christ which we are called to serve.

The problem is that the sound may not reach all in the setting and it's neither the equipments fault not the soundman.

CTM accepts some experiences, contribution on this issue. Say something and it will help somebody somewhere to serve God better.

God bless U all.

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