A highly-respected audio tech recently blogged about the intensity of a particular service and how he was unable to sing during that particular service when he was running sound. My first thought was "how could he ever sing when he's running sound? He's on the job!"
That's a critical statement for me to make. It's also a judgement on his actions.
After that initial thought passed, I asked myself a counter question – "Do I really have to listen to the mix for each song so much that I can't worship?" The first song is usually where the tweaking occurs. 95% of mixing is done during the practice. The other 5% is primarily during the first song as the congregational singing effects the mix (as well as a bit of room dynamic changes due to the presense of people in the sanctuary).
The audio tech of whom I spoke has every right to sing. Based on his reputation, I trust that if he's singing then the mix is already as good as it could get. I am left asking myself the question…"why do I prevent myself from worshipping when the moment is right?"
Do you ever sing when you are running sound? What are your thoughts on this?
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I'm Chris Huff and I've been working behind a mixer for over twenty years. Since 2008, I've been helping other sound techs learn all about the art of church audio through behindthemixer.com.
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Another thing I like to do as the sound tech is try to get the congregation clapping when appropriate. Our sound booth located near the center at the rear of our sanctuary is elevated at the same elevation as the stage, singers onstage have only 1 hand free and musicians have none. I find I can get a good clap going without to much effort, adding another sound to the worship that everyone can get involved in.
Congregational Clap Leader – just one more service offered by your friendly neighborhood Soundman. Love it!
Yes, not every one not even every service, when able ( mix is good congregation is engaged song is set up). I dont believe just because I’m in the sound booth I can’t worship, although for mixing is a form of worship. There is a time and a place, remain focused and aware of what is happening onstage and able to respond to whatever comes up (there is always something).
I wouldn’t ever think of not singing. Not only am I the sound guy, but I also consider myself part of the congregation. I also lisen to the message and pray when it is possible for me to do so.
Bill
For me at the end of the day, the reason for church is to praise God. Until maybe 20 years ago church sound systems were on the whole a very small minimal thing. I do the sound in my church, I am a volenteer and was choosen to do it as there was no one else. It is a small church. I totally agree that sound has to be right or it can take away from the act of worship, but there are times that you just have to sing and praise him. Yes being a sound person is important but it doesnt get you into heaven, we must realise that we are there to worship God ad give ourselves to him. Maybe im all wrong here but its just my thoughts on it all.
One of the factors of my "not singing," when I look back on it, was the fact that when the person running slides is singing or has their hands raised, the odds they miss a slide change goes way up. And that so burns me when they do that.
Everyone's comments on this thread have been very helpful to me. Thanks.
I almost always sing when I’m behind the sound desk – but I’ll drop in and out of singing as I mix through a song. Mostly because I love to sing my heart out to God, but also because it helps me to ‘feel’ what’s going on musically; to me it just seems the natural thing to do.
This past week I was running visuals at a reasonably large Christian conference – large enough to have an external company managing most of the AV, so most of the AV team weren’t Christians. I think the guys I was working with got a bit of a shock when they saw me arms raised and singing loudly while VJing through most of the worship set!
I will often sing at FOH to get a feel for the overall volume. Internally, I’m asking myself if I can hear myself louder or softer than the worship leader. If I can hear myself too well, than I may turn things up a bit so that our more timid singers in the crowd may be more apt to join in if they feel they won’t be heard too clearly by those around them. On the other hand, If I feel I have to scream the song to hear myself, then its an indication the level is too hot.
It’s not designed to take the place of an SLP meter or other volume safeguards – but it does give me an insight into what the crowd might be experiencing.
Well guy’s, I got it pretty bad, at a mega Church here in Cleveland, Oh. I not only sing, I play the tamborine and operate a 18′ camera crane all at the same time. I do not won’t to be left out of the Praise and Worship period, oh, I forgot to mention, I do all three while listening to the Technical Director on a dual muff headset.
Well…no not really. I will sing more during rehearsals. I think everyone is a little more relaxed. Besides, the projectionist, also known as my wife, claps and sings so loud if I were to belt out even one note I would totally lose track of everything.
I do know that this is something that the singers and worship leaders see (a worshipping sound tech) and I have been told that it is a huge encouragement to them. Probably because it means everything is working and sounding good!
Depends. I totally agree that the mix is made in the first song – the rest of the time are minor tweaks. If I’m able to settle into a mix enough to sing along, I’ve got the advantage of hearing the mix more like the congregation – with the interference of my own bones resonating, etc. While I know generally where things need to sit so that the worship leader can be followed, and the rest of the mix still feels full but not overbearing, the mixes where I’m settled in, relaxed, and enjoying the mix enough to let myself sing are the best ones. :)
I can’t help but sing when I mix. It’s mostly because I sing whenever there’s a song in the background anyway. But I try to keep my singing in control enough to hear the mix. Also, if I’m singing along, it means something is going right!
I sing sometimes. I will “catch myself” and usually stop pretty quick because I feel like I can’t fully evaluate the mix while singing (or talking). Harry brought up an interesting point about gaining a different perspective by singing which MAY be more accurate to the congregational experience. Something to chew on there.
On a side note. I don’t consider this a hindrance to my worship. I was mixing long before it was my job… because I love to do it and its a talent that God has given me. I consider it an act of worship to mix, just as much as it is to be a part of the band on stage or in any other tech position for that matter. I can’t sing and I choose to leave my piano playing in 7th grade where I last practiced. FOH is a place where I can “play” a really big & fun “instrument” in worship.
Everyone has made excellent points that I hadn’t considered:
1. Harry made the point of when he sings, he’s hearing the sound as the congregation hears it. When I don’t sing, it’s a clearer sound but not particular accurate as to how a singer would hear it blending with their own voice.
2. Josh said "…if I’m singing along, it means something is going right!" Yeah, if I’m singing then I’m relaxed because I like the sound I’ve created.
3. Travis, you said "[it's an] act of worship to mix…where I can play a really big & fun instrument." And the most expensive instrument!
You’ve all given me points to ponder. I think I’ll be singing at the next service.
i read that article and was surprised also. although my response was admiration for the “well respected tech” at being able to do that. i can’t sing and listen at the same time. even past the first song if there’s much concentration required to hit cues i keep quiet. but there are times when i am able to worship during the service: sometimes singing along, sometimes thanking God i didn’t mess up.
More often than not, I sing. Things tend to stick out to me more when I sing along. Whether singing or not, one should listen during the mix the way they do when they aren’t mixing. If you always sing along, but then stop when you’re at the board, it will sound different, and your judgement will be affected.
Yes, I do sing most of the time. I get my mix, then praise the Lord with the rest of the congregation.
“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” 1 Chronicles 16:9 and…
“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.” Judges 5:3
My main purpose during the service is to worship God all mighty. Just because I’m running audio doesn’t mean I should neglect my time of worship to Him.
I do tend to sing along sometimes: often because I’m really excited about the worship, often so I have a benchmark for how the (singing) congregation is experiencing my mix: I tend to find myself mixing slightly different when I sing along for like a minute or so. My theory: this ain’t a concert in the sense that people expect the perfect mix, most people are singing along so for me to get a good reference I need to sing short parts as well. It helps me understand what the audience needs to hear in order to pitch correctly and make it easy to participate. Often I find myself turning the volume down cause I can’t hear myself sing (and I can sing pretty loud :-) ) or turn the leadvocal up over the backingvocals so I can tune in to the melody better. Just my 2 cts.
If the mix is sounds decent, I’ll sing from time to time.
Now our lighting guy… He’s usually in an all-out dance for the whole worship set…
that’s worthy of video!
I’m a professional Engineer in the UK and have had the privilege to mix many of the large worship events over a number of years. While I agree that you are ‘on the job’ and should therefore be constantly aware of the ‘mix’ and what is happening/about to happen, I find that singing some of the time helps me to understand what others in the congregation/audience are experiencing/hearing.
Some of the best times of worship that I, personally, have experienced have been while mixing an event or simple Church service.