Audio, Leaders, Tech, Worship Leading, WTTU Special Public Post
Church Sound: Between Engineer & Stage Team (Show #112)
#ChurchSound
3 min read | 30m Video
The Delicate Dance
What is the sound like in your church? Worship Leaders and Audio Engineers struggle to find the right mix to benefit everyone.But when it comes to leading worship, sound and relationships, can we all get on the same page? True worship techs put the needs of others above their own.
WATCH SHOW #112
[ctt template=”10″ link=”V1hmx” via=”no” ]True worship techs put the needs of others above their own.[/ctt]
Who’s the Expert?
Every church member is an audio expert. Therefore, it is difficult to deliver a “good” mix since what is proper tonal and level balance to one person is inappropriate to another. A healthy relationship between the front of house engineer and the church rests on the engineer’s ability to provide a mix acceptable to a plurality of the listeners’ ears. To achieve success, the mix should deliver intelligible vocals, a solid combination of melody instruments, and enough low-end and rhythm to cement the song together.The relationship between the engineer and the stage team, however, requires a more nuanced approach. Since the stage personnel and the engineer interact continually, mutual trust and respect must be created and maintained in order for the relationship to flourish.
Additionally, since the engineer is the only member of the team who is also a member of the church, he must be given wide latitude in molding a mix appropriate for the listeners. Finally, since the interaction is multi-lateral, the FOH mixer should cultivate a deft touch dealing with simultaneous and conflicting requests from the stage. Fortunately, these idealistic goals can be turned into reality by following a few guidelines developed from decades of experience.
Team Flexibility and Responsibility
From the engineer’s perspective, relationship management is a triad based on sincere concern for the team, a desire to reach the church, and a personal drive to perform at the highest level. Mixing audio is a dependent task; it requires other people in order to function. More succinctly, if the band doesn’t show up, there is nothing to do. Unfortunately, some engineers hold the opposite viewpoint. They contend their experience and golden ears should rule the day. The resulting contentious barter between the booth and the stage undermines the goal of providing an environment conducive to worship.Astute worship musicians,understand the team’s role as servant leaders to the congregation. In the same vein, the engineer’s job can be classified as servant-servant, in the sense our responsibility is to undergird the team so they can usher the congregation into worship.
Therefore, an engineer’s empathy is more important than their ability. Engineers must see issues from the team’s perspective in order to transform from glorified knob-jockey to valued team member. As a practical example, if the vocalists complain about the monitor level, walk to the stage, stand next to them, and listen from their position.
It’s not enough to AFL the send, check the cans [headphones], and call it a day. True worship techs put the needs of others above their own. As in all multi-lateral relationships, though, the needs of the few must be balanced against the needs of the many. For instance, a guitar player’s “need” for an on-stage tube amp is outweighed by the vocalists’ need to hear each other.
Again, to put the theory into practice, the drummer’s task is to establish and divide time; it is not to play as loud as possible and leave it to the drum shield to abate the noise. Therefore, it falls to the engineer to discuss the issue with the drummer in a mature fashion and then guide the team toward a consensus on the appropriate level for the drums.
Trust is earned. When the worship leader asks for “more of me” during rehearsal, turning to the “placebo” knob or waving a hand across the console is not the answer. To develop the team’s respect, respond over the talkback mic, “We can work on that. What part of the mix are you not hearing? Is there perhaps something in your monitor too loud I can turn down so you can hear the rest of the mix better?”
[ctt template=”10″ link=”3fdzJ” via=”yes” ]When worship and audio teams understand their role as servant leaders, they unselfishly lead their church in worship. @worshiptt[/ctt]
Engineers attempt to push away from the precipice of feedback by reducing volume and frequencies. However, the typical worship band believes more is better and often fails to consider how reducing one part makes another clearer. Thus, we should engage the band in a positive manner, assure them we are working for their good, and then suggest a more reasonable way to achieve the goal.
We must also be attuned to the caste of stage hierarchy. If a bass player’s request contradicts that of the worship leader, fulfill the worship leader’s request and then go to the stage and explain to the bassist why their need remained unfilled. In a spiritually mature team, the player will understand. However, when the player reacts negatively, we can address the issue directly with the worship leader, or, in a less confrontational manner, escort the worship leader to the player’s position and suggest a compromise solution, leaving the final decision with the worship leader.
Truthfulness and Tactfulness
“How did it sound out there?” The band wants to know their vision is being realized in the seats. Honesty combined with discernment is the key to success when it comes to interpreting the band’s impact. If the band failed to land a modulation or the vocals were garbled and the congregation noticed, tell the truth. If, however, it was only a minor technical or musical glitch, let it alone. If the audience did not hear it, it didn’t happen. To quell conspiracy theories and establish rapport, ask the worship leader to direct a rehearsal from the tech booth. The difference in sonic perspective will alert the leader to the challenges the tech faces and build trust, knowing the mix is in line with her desire.
Avoid the Monitor Madness (Sound Checking)
Every rehearsal follows a similar path: the band is herded onstage, the first song ends and the entire team shouts demands to the hapless audio engineer. To improve this situation, establish a “round robin” priority system with the worship leader. Before the initial run through, the worship leader performs a mic check and each member is asked to approve the local monitor level.Next, the vocalists perform the same check, followed by keys, guitars, bass, and drums. Now, once the preliminary levels are agreed on, the chaos of the first song is lessened and the team follows the same round robin approach to tweaks, beginning with the worship leader and circling around the team. Chronic complainers can be mollified with a “divide and conquer” system.
If, for example, a group of three singers is sharing a mix and one vocalist declares the other two are louder, walk onstage and listen from their perspective.
If the levels are correct, ask the other singers to confirm your observation. Now, a three-fourths majority has established the validity of the mix and the protester will acquiesce to save face. When the objector is an authority figure, though, a different approach is required.
If the request can be partially accommodated, ask for permission to perform the function as far as possible without taking away from others. In more dire circumstances, meet the immediate need and wait for a discreet opportunity to explain the harsh consequences of the request in a non-threatening manner. Mixing worship is much more than turning knobs.
It requires thick skin, a soft heart, a quick wit, and a sprinkling of political acumen. When performed correctly, though, it is one of the most rewarding ministries available in the church today.
Kent Morris is noted for his church sound training abilities. He has more than 30 years of experience with A/V, has served as a front-of-house engineer for several noted performers, and is a product development consultant for several leading audio
manufacturers.
@KentMorris1 @BranonDempsey @worshiptt
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