Extreme Hospitality

Sound Advice by Leon Sievers Sound Professional December 24, 2001

Performers often tell me how much they appreciate receiving advance letters. Letters can be a warm-up to a good performance, which, in turn, leads to repeat performances. And good performances can add to your credibility when you ask your deacons, treasurer, or pastor for new sound equipment. 

4. Make sure everything works. When the performers finally arrive, anywhere from an hour to several hours before a performance, make sure they have someone to oversee their product table

Prior to setup time, you should have positioned mikes, cables, and stands. Make sure none of that creates a safety hazard in front of the platform or in the middle of it. During the sound checks, problems invariably arise. Adjustments can be made at this time. For example, if a buzz begins emanating from an unknown source, it's often due to a mis-patched or faulty cable. If you're using a wireless system and there's lots of interference, try switching frequencies or using a wired mike. Some visiting performers may want to use their own monitors or other equipment to get the sound they want. 

5. Stand up to criticism. After a proper sound check and corresponding adjustments, everything should be ready for a great performance. But what should you do if someone still finds fault with you or the sound quality? 

Express concern, then ask for specifics. Usually sound people know when they've messed up and why, but not always. Getting specifics is essential because you can't fix something if you don't know what's broken. If your critic knows a lot about sound, ask him or her what should have been done. Such insights can be valuable. 

Making performers and their audience comfortable is your highest priority as a sound crew. You must see yourselves as servants, modeling the example of Christ. Nothing could be more professional.

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