Audio mixer channel gain can be set in three ways. Someone reading that last sentence just went ballistic. Is there only one right method for setting the channel gain? Let's explore. Follow the signal Typically, the audio that comes into a channel from the stage is coming in via a mono balanced ... Read More
If ever there was a thorn in the side of a sound tech, it would be one labeled VOLUME. A couple of days ago, I talked about balancing the stage volume with house volume. But that's not the volume thorn I'm discussing. I'm talking about the right house volume level. My favorite volume story ... Read More
Dare I suggest the volume of your worship leader could be detrimental to the worship environment? Yes, yes I suggest that very thing. Overall audio volume level discussions are common between sound techs but I submit to you, my friends, that the overall volume isn't nearly as much of a ... Read More
The two biggest mistakes I see sound techs make are when they tweak the mix during the ENTIRE worship set and when they NEVER touch the mixing board during the worship set. There is a time for active mixing and there is a way you can use it to bring power to a song. Volume Balancing Volume ... Read More
The band is on stage and the gain levels are set. It's the perfect time to reach for an EQ control. Or so you think. Instead, the next step should be to balance the instrument and vocal volumes so every musician is heard in the right relationship to the others. In short, the first part of mixing ... Read More
[Guest Post from Robert Naylor, Jr. with his take on volume levels] This is a challenge for all church sound people to consider your volume level and how it may be impacting your worship services. This is not a discussion of specific SPL levels, or contemporary versus traditional worship. I want to ... Read More
A sound tech from Washington writes regarding finding the right house volume levels, "It's either too loud for the elderly or too soft for the youth, or too much electric or not enough bass, it’s just impossible to please everyone." My grandmother's cooking immediately comes to mind. My ... Read More
This weekend, we did communion a different way. Instead of passing the plates, we had communion stations around the room so people could group up after getting the elements and then taking communion together. (Isn’t this supposed to be about volume? – Yes, stick with me.) The problem was the ... Read More
