Interview: Brian Davis | Worship Tech Online

Brian Davis blogs at  Worship Tech Online.  He's recently posted detailed updates on the FCC wireless rulings as well as new products from the WFX convention!  He is the Director of Worship Technologies at Fellowship Bible Church Dallas.  He's also worked in radio and television production.  Brian is passionate about leveraging the technology God created to impact His kingdom and work here on earth.

1. What's the best tip you ever received regarding running sound?

Listen to the source first. Up close if possible.  Recently we had a bluegrass band on the stage doing Beatles tunes.  The bass player, who was playing an Arco Bass, was nervous when he saw our subwoofers hanging over the stage.  I went up to the stage, put my head next to his bass, and got a feel for the sound he was going for.  I ended up taking the bass completely out of the sub bass system. 

2. What tip would you give to a budding sound tech?

Develop a thick skin.  Remember that unless you own the venue or church, you are mixing for someone else.  Maybe it's the worship pastor, or the senior pastor.  Take instruction and criticism.  Be knowledgeable about your craft, and be able to speak to others about technical issues in non-technical terms.

3. Half-way through a worship set, the microphone for the kick drum dies.  What do you do?

It happened recently.  It was the latter half of the set and the music was softer and mellower than the first half. We had to wait until the service was over and replace the mic/cable between services.  It would have created more of a distraction to replace it in the middle of the set than to just live with no kick for a few songs

4. As church worship bands are growing in the types of instruments they play, what is the most unusual instrument you've ever had to mic (congo, cajon, etc.)?  How did you mic it?

Our worship leader leads from a piano.  Occasionally he'll play an accordion.  We usually just use his vocal mic for the accordion as well (AKG C535).  We're big into not making things any harder than we need to.  Earlier this year I worked a freelance gig where a guy played a wash-tub bass.  We put a mic on the bottom of the upside down wash tub.  It was just a 57 or 58 - whatever we had on hand.

5. You wake up at 2am, starving, and head to the kitchen.  Do you go for comfort food, leftovers, or make something fresh?

Leftovers - and pray the ding of the microwave doesn't wake my wife up.

6. Everyone has a nightmare story as it related to running church audio.  What is yours?

Recently we had a pretty well known Christian artist come to our church.  I started sound checking with his manager.  I thought he was just getting starting levels before the artist came out. When I asked if the artist was coming out he said "No - I'm just doing the check for him".  Sure enough, the artist came out and we had all kinds of problems.  The monitors were not right and he couldn't figure out our mic stand that had a hand clutch to raise and lower the mic.  The concert was pretty rough. 

7. When did you first start working with live audio? What did you love about it? 

I started mixing live audio in church in 1981.  I have always been fascinated to be able to affect what people heard by physically moving a fader or turning a knob.  Later it turned into a love of enhancing a performance.  Once I started doing it, it was very clear to me what I would be doing with my life. Also, my music minister told me that chics dig guys who run sound.

8. How do you build the sound tech / worship leader relationship?

In my church, the media, or technology department is not a separate depart from the worship department.  We all work in the same ministry area. I've worked at churches where there is a competition thing going on between ministries.  And I've been at churches where there is a real lack of respect between the ministries.  So to have the FEELING of being in the same team - it helps to actually BE on the same team.  If you have a relationship crisis between a sound tech and worship leader, I'd venture to say that you have a respect problem.

9. What's the key to a successful a/v team?

A couple of things come to mind.  One is competency.  To have someone on the crew who is not really competent is not fair to the worshippers in the house, to the fellow crew members, or to the volunteer who is not competent.  I really care about my crew members - but between the hours of 7-12 on Sunday mornings I want things executed properly.

 Secondly, I think a successful team is one that receives clear communication and knows what is expected of them, and also who are appreciated.  People want meaningful involvement, but quickly burn out when they are taken for granted.