How to Understand Church Sound Systems
- 1). Decide what type of microphones your church should use. Microphones are usually provided for each musician as well as each speaker. Learning about microphones will also include learning about the cables and stands for the microphones. However, there are wireless microphones, which many churches prefer to use because of the lack of cables. There need to be enough microphones set up on the stage so that the congregation can hear every instrument.
- 2). Pick out the amplifiers and monitors. The amplifiers are going to be what projects the sound to the audience. The number of amplifiers you have should be based on how many monitors you have. Do not hook up more than two monitors to one amplifier. Monitors are set up so that the musicians can hear every part being played on the stage. Monitors also need to face the audience. These monitors will be set up on both sides of the stage as well as the middle of the stage.
- 3). Learn about the mixer. Mixers are able to control all of the separate sounds that are being played on the stage so that the performance sounds its best. For example, a mixer can control the volume of each individual microphone. You can also use a mixer to get rid of static sounds and to level each instrument so that you are able to hear the most important instrumental parts.
- 4). Identify the equipment in the sound booth. The booth is where all the equipment is stored. The people working in the booth are controlling the mixer and any computer gear that is used for the sound system. A majority of sound production is controlled in this booth.
- 5). Learn what each member of the sound crew does. Usually, there will be different people running different parts of the sound system. For example, there may be a person running the mixer, an engineer for any recording, and a maintenance person. Talking to these individuals will help you to understand what needs to be done to get your church's sound system running smoothly.
Source...