The tools all sound techs should have on hand.
[Winner announced] Announcing the November “Win the Sound Tech Prize Pack” Giveaway! In a short period of time, you could have your hands on these must-have tools. I’ve partnered with CCI Solutions for this giveway and we’re excited to be giving away…
1. A Galaxy Audio CM-130 Sound Meter
Now you can easily and accurately monitor the Sound Pressure Level (loudness) of your services and other church events. Weighing only half a pound, the CM-130 is a mini-sized, low cost, high performance sound pressure level meter with a built-in electret condenser microphone. The easy-to-read digital display show resolution to 0.5 dB, can be set for multiple ranges and includes a MAX/MIN function. It will operate for up to 50 hours on a 9V Battery (included) and it comes complete with owner’s manual and windscreen. The CM130 is accurate to ±2 dB.
2. Hosa CBT500 Cable Tester
Released in April, the Hosa CBT-500 cable tester offers versatile audio cable troubleshooting. Quickly and easily check the integrity of a wide range of of cables. The CBT-500 is simple to use, thanks to its front panel rotary knob and two rows of eight LEDs. The LEDs give you convenient visual feedback on the individual pins found in any of the supported cable types. The rotary knob lets you switch quickly from one pin to the next. The CBT-500 also boasts a pair of removable leads for testing additional connectors and jacks. It runs on a 9-volt battery (battery included).
3. 2 Rolls of 2-inch Pro-Gaffer Gaff Tape
Honestly, gaff tape is the handiest tape you’ll ever find. It sticks to anything with great adhesion but it comes off leaving no residue. It’s also not the cheapest tape you’ll find, and that’s why I made sure this essential piece of gear made it into the giveaway. Use it to secure cables to the platform and just about anything else you can imagine.
How to Win
Winning is easy.
2. Leave a comment below with your favorite tool. It could be your Swiss Army knife or even your ears!
Rules
- No one who works at behindthemixer.com is eligible – that means I can’t win!
- One entry per person
- A random name will be selected from all the entries and the winner will be announced on November 16th, 2012.
About CCI Solutions
CCI Solutions is more than an AV equipment company. They even design and build systems for worship facilities all over the country. They have CTS-certified sales tech’s that are very familiar with the church audio and video arena. Most of their tech’s are involved within their own church a/v teams. The mission of CCI is (and always has been) to support the church. They have been doing so for over 35 years, offering the very best support and value possible!
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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.
For more about me, 
My favorite tool at this moment is the iPad.
Not only does it allow me to use multiple apps ranging from note taking to reading ebooks, but I get to use cool apps like the Wireless Remotes.
Hooking up my iPad (via the) ViSi Remote to our Vi1 board allows me to move about the room and mix stage and FOH sound without having to run around. REALLY helpful in our current setting where it’s usually one soundman per session!
My favorite tool is my Leatherman Squirt ES 4. It’s got a 12-20 gauge wire stripper on among other tools.
Hey yall I’m from texas but currently living in Birimingham, AL. Been running sound lighting and projection for the last 6 years. I am attending the Forerunner School of Ministry. I was recently hired part time at a church we have parterned with as their sound engineer. we have the PreSonus 24.4.2. Love that board!!!
Does anyone here know anything about this board and recording from it?
Aaron, do a google search on the phrase “recording from presonus studio live” and you’ll see a video on youtube for recording.
My favorite tool is my label maker!! I’d never remember what channel goes to which person if I didn’t have it.
I just got hired at a church and they used paper labels lol so i busted out with a real label maker!!!
My favorite tool is those around me who are listening to the production. I get the most incredible feedback, whether it be good or bad i always use this to better my delivery of sound to those in the audience and also to those producing it, ie the pastor, choirs and band.
My favorite audio tool is my wife. She can walk in the worship center and in 30 seconds tell me what is right and/or not right with my mix! She’s a musician who understands mixing!
Wow. good question. Uuuhhmmm… My mixingboard. It is where i do my thing, tweak, mess arround, discuss, reason, elaborte, cry, fight, laugh and have fun :-) (ML5000 )
I think my favorite tool is my ears, and a pencil.
My favorite tool, well that is hard to define. I know it might sound strange, but it would have to be my eyes. In an effort to keep ahead of potential challenges, I always try to keep my head up and looking at the stage and anticipating the needs of the worship team.
Stay in the service to give the best service to the people.
Thanks,
Since we started using a battery tester, we never had our pastor’s mike go dead during the service. And for my comfort a pair of thin gloves and a cup of tea.
Being the small church we are, good ears combined with a sharp mind is a blessing. Other than personal attributes, a pen/pencil and a notepad have always been the most useful tool.
My ears by far and then my iPhone 5 in July haha.
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Ears are the most important, second would have to be AudioTools on the iPhone and iPAD. These apps are amazing and always with me. From behind the board, a good set of reference headphones are essential, even for good ears. I use Sony MDR-7506.
My iPad and smartphone. Great to keep updated and make changes away from the console.
You mean besides your site?! Has to be the 3 ring binder I began compiling 4 years ago when I started learning all about being behind the mixer!!
:)
Would have to go with my ears.
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My favorite tool is the internet! I don’t get much time doing sound, so I try to make up for it by researching new things to try (using this site of course).
My Ears
A quality set of headphones for monitoring
My favourite tool will be imho my ears..
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My favorite tool has got to be the Presonus StudioLive 24.4.2.
That thing is amazing.
It sounds great … it’s easy to use … and they’re constantly improving with software (like Capture, the SL Remote app, the Smaart technology).
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Gaff Tape…don’t leave home without it…
My favorite tool is being led by the Spirit of God. How many times have we had that nudge, prepared for what he told us and then we were ready when it happened! A good hot cup of coffee is a close second!
My favorite tool is my spectrum analyzer. it enable me check the troublesum frequencies
My favorite tool is my smartphone. It is my backup recorder, analyzer, music player, etc. I use real gear when I can, but I use my phone on the fly until I can get to it.
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My favorite tool has been my 4S iPhone. There I got Test Sound .mp3, Charts, music, decibel meter app, quick recording tool, metronome app, text and voice communication with musicians and audio techs. It is really a usefull tool. I can quickly browse the web for quick needed info and tips. Great tool my iPhone 4S.
God Bless you all.
My favorite tool is my 10 in 1 screwdriver. It is not just the tips but also has the sockets too. I love it so much that I carry it in my purse along with my mini wrench set and mini clamp among other mini tools!
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volume control on the individual channels. That way I can pull the bass players vocals out when he thinks he is a the lead singer instead of the bass player.
Yes, my Swiss Army Knife, use it for everything!
My Leatherman tool, couldn’t do without it.
Gaffers tape!
Screwdriver.
Gaff tape hands down. Makes duct tape look like paper.
My favorite tool is my ears, when i am on the platform or behind the desk – my ears are the best asset i have. We have a limited amount of equipment, so in the short time i have been behind the desk, i have had to fine tune my ears to hear things most people cant.
P.S. I love your articles man! Read them often, and they have helped me and my church out A LOT!
From Kyle in Cape Town, South Africa – 23 yrs.
Bless you brother!
My favourite tool is my supervisor…
“Hey BENNNNN… How do I fix this?!?!”
Smaartlive/dB meter is my favorite tool outside of my eyes and ears.
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Hands down the most requested thing I keep in my sound booth is a pair of scissors. Has been that way for years, i have started carrying a pair on my belt with my knife at all events. Who would have thought ?
My favorite tool – Audio tool on my Smart phone
I have to agree with some of these other posts. Tape is an absolute neccessity! And google is one of my favorite tools. Nothing like learning on the fly!
Oh, my battery charger…! No more giant packs of cheap useless, wasted batteries!
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Best tools for me: My ears, eyes, brain (always be 10 steps ahead in the service or gig)
Best on the job tools: input meters (pre-eq, proper gain structure is a must), Maglite and utility knife
Favorite Tool:
My wife!
She always lets me know what the sound is like where she is sitting. From drum mix, to whose vocal was too “squeaky”, she always knows how to give me the laymen’s account of the sound.
My Ears!
Followed by my knife, soldering iron, Craftsman ratcheting screwdriver, multimeter, and head lamp in no particular order. Google is a useful tool too!
One of my favorite sound tech tools is a battery tester. Always nice to be confident of the charge on a battery before sending it up to the platform in a wireless mic!
My favorite tool is my flashlight. I often have to use it working in dark rooms. I think my next tool will be an spl meter whether I win it or have to buy one.
Best Tool = MDR-V6′s
Most Favorite–Audio Tools on my iPhone
Most mission critical: MiniMag flashlight and Leatherman Squirt on my person at ALL TIMES!
My favorite tool is my battery operated screwdriver.
My greatest tool is my skill and creative musical ability. It gives me so much joy exercising those God-given abilities to make people happy and excited.
My favorite tool is DR5 drum machine ,is easy to use and have a good sounds.!!!!!!!
In terms of day to day mixing Ears(to hear), eyes, and brain (to make intelligent decisions based on input).
In terms of education.
As far as a real tool, the tool that has probably advanced my understanding the most has been my TEF20 analyzer. Learning how to use it to analyze the performance of sound systems in rooms has probably resulted in more “aha” moments than any other piece of measurement hardware.
Always wanted a cable tester. Beats dragging out the DVOM.
I love this site coz i am new to sound technology and this is the best place to learn almost everything about mixing. I love all gadgets that help me produce a nice mix. The cable tester is a must have for me.
I like this simple tool for checking batteries in guitars.
Keith McMillen Instruments Batt-O-Meter Battery Tester
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/keith-mcmillen-instruments-batt-o-meter-battery-tester
Comes in handy when serving my musician teammates.
This will sound odd – I like to use earplugs, especially during sound check. After setting eq and compressors, if available, I feel I can hit the level balances faster if I mix with plugs in for a few minutes.
Something about that helps me focus on the sound in the room.
My Favorite Tool is MyIpad with StageMix and SignalScopePro
Probably due to just having switched to a digital console, but I am LOVING scene recall right now.
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I love this site coz i am new to sound technology and this is the best place to learn almost everything about mixing. I love all gadgets that help me produce a nice mix. The cable tester is a must have for me.
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My favorite tool is Planning Center (www.planningcenteronline.com). We started using this tool about 6 months ago, and as the person in charge of scheduling the technical team, this has been a HUGE help. I no longer have to rely on email to schedule the team. It’s quick, easy and effective, perfect for a volunteer tech director! Our worship team also uses Planning Center so we have easy access to the set list and we know in advance who is playing/singer and we can be prepared.
My fovorite toll is my iPad. I have all the manuals for the sound equipment in pdf and reference them often.
I like the comments about ears and teams, but I don’t want to repeat what has been said a hundred times.
So I will say my favorite tool is my chord charts. I have identical copies of chord charts that the musicians use, then at rehearsal and sound check I make notes on the charts to indicate what changes I have to make throughout the song. I note everything from where the guitar solo is, who sings what verse, when I want to add or reduce reverb and delay, etc. Keeps me mixing proactively instead of reactively. It saved me last week when I nearly forgot one of my BGVs lead the second verse of a song…. With as much as I have going on a typical sunday, and as much as I like to mix to add detail and interest to the song, it is essential I remember my cues…. and I couldn’t do it without my chord charts
I think the best tool is the ability to listen to the music and mix . I have found there is a clear difference when you listen to the original tracks before mixing and when i don’t.
I would say my most favorite tool and also important is my brain and the gift that the lord has given me to be a instrument in his kingdom,proclaiming his name through what I do,so I would say faith and wisdom is my favorite tool.
My favorite “secret weapon” tool is my eyes. Watching what’s happening on stage, scanning for people getting ready to come on, noticing the guitarist frowning and reaching to unplug… Using my eyes lets me be a half-step ahead of the program, and moves me from purely reacting (though that happens no matter how prepared you are) into running a smooth show.
My favorite tool is a toss-up between my Leatherman Wave and my Multimeter. The leatherman can do everything mechanical and I can figure out most anything electrical with the multimeter.
My favorite tool is my Fenix E01 flashlight. This tiny thing is in my pocket all the time, along with a Victorinx Classic SD. It seems like wherever or whenever something is wonky, it is dark, too. These two have gotten me out of more jams, big and small, than I can count.
My leatherman wave, I couldn’t do stagework without it.
Our church recently got our first role of gaffers tape. Its my new favorite thing!
My favorite tool is the mute button. Comes in handy when a musician or singer want to run sound from the platform. Haha!
Tone generator and multimeter are my must haves…. figure out just about everything with those tools.
I would have to say ears. When they aren’t working, the mix sounds awful!!
My favorite Tool is my Sony headphones as it keeps me in tune with the sound that i’m emitting from my console . It also is a great troubleshooting tool for those who know what they are doing
I love my roll of disposable/ reusable Velcro that I use to neaten up the stage cabling and tie down loose gear.
I enjoy using the AudioTools RTA on my iPhone. I’m planning on doing the in-app purchase to add the Smaart component to it.
I am not sure if they count as tools but Iso boxes for the guitar amps. We just got those and some Roland M-48 IEMs. It makes mixing so much easier when I don’t have to fight with all that stage noise.
Being in Africa were tools are scarce, my favorite tool is an old scout knife which was given to me by my Daddy. I use it as a screw Driver or doing any task i can with it ,it might be at church or out on a crusade- ground.
Ears followed by flashlight and internet to help figure out problems.
Gotta agree with Scott Raiford. My team is amazing! Hard-working and there when you need them. They make my job easy, like any tool should.
“Favorite” is not the way I normally describe this tool, but other people’s ears are an essential tool for me. Sometimes constructive criticism feels like a kick in the gut, but a solid critique of my sound nearly always points out things I’ve overlooked or misinterpreted. It always leaves me asking myself, “why did I tweak that?” and “is this accomplishing what I think it is?”
My favorite tools are the single switch the powers on the entire sound system, as well as masking tape and a sharpie for labeling things…basically anything that makes the volunteer experience better and easier.
My ears definitely :)
My favorite tool is my ears for measuring sound level and then SPL meter is 2nd.
iPad. I can monitor audio consoles, network, and planning center.
My favorite tool is gaffers tape. Like the give aways says it is handy for just about everything that needs to stay put.
Favorite tool would probably be the one I use most often, my flashlight.
Ears, I guess, since I don’t really have any tools!!!
My favorite “tool” is my team. I’m the first dedicated sound tech my church has had in a decade, so for a year, I was doing everything myself for our audio. Now that I’ve been able to recruit a few volunteers to help, I’m eternally grateful for all they do. No more running around frantically (especially during sound checks), no more ridiculous multitasking, and no more (or at least much less) worrying that my opinion harms the sound.
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My ears would be first and foremost. Second up would have to be my other guys in the booth. It’s much easier to pinpoint a problem with ANOTHER pair of ears!
Favorite tool? I guess I’d have to agree with “ears.”
For me, second place goes to “notepad and pen.” I know, it’s so low tech, but I frequently need to quickly capture some technical details or thoughts for later, so that I can keep rolling with the sound check/worship team needs/etc. My smartphone (with camera) is a good accessory along those lines too:)
My favorite tool is my music library and my ears. The library helps me turn a learning musician to a particular group/style and my ears are invaluable when it comes to putting the mix together.
As with most on here, my favorite tool is my ears. Have always been able to fix more with them than any tool I’ve used yet.
Ears!
Leatherman. I feel naked without it.
I would say my ears, sharpie and flashlight. They are needed and if you weren’t to have them it would be hard to do some of the things we do!!
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My favorite tool is my guitar. i like to play guitar.
Definitely the ears, haven’t found the tool that can replace them yet.
Currently my favorite tool is my knee brace that helps me climb the circular staircase to the sound booth. My ipod touch is nice too with sound meters and Propresenter remote.
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My flashlight and multimeter never leaves my side when i am on the job
I am still learning all this, but I would agree that all of the technology we have could not replace my ears. Without them, I would not be a very good mixer.
My favorite tool is my flashlight, which is always on me. It’s helped me troubleshoot many, many problems by illuminating dark areas where cables lay.
My smartphone. Theres an RTA app, a guitar tuner, a note-taking app, a metronome, and a ton of other stuff that I find very helpful.
Right behind that is my Gerber multi tool.
Best tool would be my ears, except when I have a cold, in which case, someone else’s ears!
Many of the tools already mentioned are an essential part of my gear. One tool I find myself using more and more is a good quality flashlight. Once I started carrying a compact LED flashlight around with me on an almost daily basis I began using it more than my multi-tool.
My ears are the obvious answer, but going into a new venue I just love an RTA. It helps me keep my sanity when your pressed for time.
My favorite tool is the battery meter! With 8 wireless mics and several battery powered receivers for IEMs, I would be wasting a lot of batteries without it.
That was me saying the battery meter. I guess I didn’t fill in the form above the comment box.
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Favorite tool is my smart phone. Is also camera, tone generator, spectrum analyser, soundlevel meter and whatever the next tool app that comes along.
Aside from my ears – I’d say the tool that’s most fun to work with is my iPad (in conjunction with a PreSonus digital mixer). I love being able to walk around the room and mix from anywhere!
A good pair of head phones.
Favourite tool: Tape, be it gaffa or electrician’s tape. Soooo many fixes for problems.
Favorite tool: Roland VR-5 AV Mixer Recorder
I have to go with Trevor on this one: any kind of multi-purpose tool. I lost the one I had and replaced it at the first opportunity.
Yeah you did say it in the post but definitely my ears. They are Gods creation for hearing a bad cable and creating my mix.
Gaff tape
Gaff tape – after a year of asking for gaff and being presented with black duct tape by local churches/crew gaff tape has become my favorite
Favorite tool: any solid leatherman type multi-tool.