Church Audio 101 and Beyond

Hello! I’m Chris Huff and welcome to all things church audio.

If you’re getting started in church audio production, need help with a specific live audio problem, or want to take your skills to the next level, then you’re in the right place.

You can find out more about me and Brian Gowing (the other resident tech geek) here, but for now let’s focus on YOU and why you’re here.

To Learn The Basics of Church Audio

This site is filled with fundamental 101-level articles covering everything from miking drums to mixing vocals to dealing with musicians. There’s even a step-by-step guide. I take the guesswork out of production and get you operating at a professional level. If you’re new to church audio production, check out the items below.

The A-to-Z Guide

Audio Essentials for Church Sound is the complete step-by-step guide to church audio production where you learn how to create a consistently good mix and meet the expectations of the pastor, the musicians, and the congregation every time. It also covers stage work and helps you navigate the unique church aspects of audio production.

Articles:

• Vocal Microphone Guide
• How to EQ Speech for Maximum Intelligibility
• How Do Techs Magically Pinpoint a Problem Frequency?
• EQ for an Acoustic Guitar

 

To Tackle a Specific Problem

Be it audio feedback, volume complaints, or a mixing struggle, it’s likely a topic already covered on this site. I’ve encountered a lot of problems over my last 20+ years in audio production and want to help you get through them. Below are articles on the more common topics.

The Gear Guide

Equipping Your Church for Audio is the step-by-step guide that takes the guesswork out of buying audio equipment. You’ll learn how to select the right audio gear based on your church service style, room acoustic properties, and discover the tricks to finding your real audio production requirements.

Free Guides:

• Mixing Vocals – The Ultimate Free Guide
• Audio Gating – The Ten-Minute Guide

Articles:

• How to Remove Audio Feedback through Equalization
• Three Portable Church Sound Systems for Every Budget
• A Sound Tech’s Thorn in the Side: House Volume Level

 

To Take Your Skills to the Next Level

This site is more than 101-level articles, you’ll also find topics like blending wet and dry signals for a better guitar sound and alternative drum miking methods. Great audio techs are always learning!

I want you to be so skilled you don’t think about how something SHOULD sound but how it COULD sound. I’ve listed a few articles below to get you started.

Articles:

• The Art of Bass EQ; Using Eight Key Frequency Ranges
• Mixing in a Different Room? Don’t Make This Assumption
• One Cajón Plus Two Microphones Equals Two Instruments
• Seven Steps for Cleaning Up Your Music Mix

 

To Get Your Free Sound Check Checklist

Professional live sound engineer Robert Scovill said mixing is about making a thousand little changes. That’s not to mention all the other work we do. This checklist covers 32 points to hit for a productive sound check. The sound check is a busy time and it’s easy to get distracted or overwhelmed. Use this checklist to stay on track.

Enter your email address below to get your checklist and join over 20,000 audio techs who are part of my global tech team. As well as receiving a bi-weekly email with the latest article links and exclusive mixing tips, you’ll get access to the PRIVATE DISCUSSION FORUM where you’ll find daily conversations on all things audio.