The Complete Guide to Audio Compression
Audio compression allows you to limit the dynamic range of an input signal. If that went over your head, imagine the vast volume difference between a vocal singing softly versus…
A Better Way to Measure Loudness
If you have been in church for very long, you have heard numerous complaints about the sound being too loud. However, it seems a small percentage of people are doing…
How to Make Lead Vocals Sound Amazing
I have been in many church worship services where you can hardly hear the lead vocal. To tell you the truth, I have even led some of these services. There…
Mixing Live Drums: EQ, Compression & Gating
Drums (and bass guitar) are the foundation of a great mix. If the drums aren’t right, the mix lacks energy and loses its impact. With all the signal processing available…
Unexpected EQ for Better Bass Guitar
What’s the first thing to do when you want more of that big bass sound? “Boost the bass!” with a low shelf EQ filter. OK, don’t lie. We’ve all done…
EQ for Clean Backup Vocals
Backup vocals can add a lot of depth and strength to a worship team. But they can also muddy the mix if you’re not careful. The challenge often comes when…
EQ Tips for Keys, Pianos and Synthesizers
When it comes to EQ’ing keys, there is a big difference between what you will do for electronic keys/synthesizers and acoustic pianos. So, let’s go through both. Keys & Synthesizers…
3 Ways to Eliminate Feedback During Worship
So you find yourself in an intimate moment during worship, where song preferences, lighting effects, and out-of-tune vocals all seem to disappear, when all of a sudden, feedback (a.k.a ‘ringing…
Drums too loud at church? Try these weird drum sticks.
Like many other churches, we put our drummer behind a drum shield. We all wanted to set her free, but couldn’t bear the loudness of the drums. When my church…
How to Use a Matrix as a Crossover
If you have a digital mixer, you may be wondering, what is the best use of a matrix? An audio matrix should be used anytime you need to create a…
5 Tips for a Better In-Ear Mix
If you are new to in-ear monitors, chances are, they are not your favorite. It’s tough to get the mix just right and you often feel isolated from everyone else…
The Perfect Sound Check
Frustrated with sound checks? Are they taking too long? I am pretty sure that every worship team member has been fed up with sound check at some point, if not…
How to Achieve Great Sound in a Small Church
Achieving great sound in a small church is impossible, right? I mean, you have practically no budget and no one around with preexisting sound tech skills. I might have agreed…
How to Set Level on Amp (or Powered Speaker)
When setting up my first sound system, I vividly remember looking at the front of the amp, wondering why there was a level control, and then shrugging my shoulders and…
Where Each Instrument Fits in the Mix
As a sound tech at church, you not only have to possess a wide array of technical knowledge, but you also need an understanding of where each instrument fits in…
How to Use Your Digital Mixer’s EQ
Digital mixers use parametric equalizers – which is a god-send for those who are used to a graphic equalizer with an analog system. Parametric EQ allows for so much more…
Reverb Techniques for Church Sound
Reverb holds the power to take your mix from sounding dead to alive. But, it also comes with the risk of making your mix unintelligible and frustrating to the listener….
How to Set EQ with iPhone Sound Frequency Analyzer
When you get EQ right, the end result is amazing. You no longer have problems with feedback and you can run your sound at a higher volume without irritating people’s…
A Quick Guide to Mixing Vocals for Worship
Mixing vocals is an art. It’s tough to get them right, especially hearing the lead vocal throughout the entire song without things getting to loud. To help you navigate the troubled…
DIY Sound Absorbing Panels for Churches
There is a good chance your church sanctuary was not built with sound in mind. Or, maybe you rent a gym, warehouse or some other type of building that is…