The Fourth Element

Sound Advice by Van Metschke Contributing Writer April 22, 2002

THE SOUND PEOPLE

This is the most sensitive part of the sound system. People are the deciding factor in the sound equation. Most people that volunteer for the sound ministry at church have a great heart of service. They are content to be behind the scenes and never be mentioned. They spend long hours at rehearsals and practices for worship, skits, plays, women's dinners, coffee houses, youth rallies and the like. They are also faithful to be at church, usually before anyone else to set up the stage, and the last ones to leave.

They are the unofficial information center to direct people to the restrooms, lost and found, and the nursery. Most of the time no one tells them when they have done a good job but they are the first to hear about any problems, and not by one person but everyone that passes by the sound booth. The sound person is blamed for many things including, but not limited to: Singers who are flat, sing the wrong words, or don't know the words at all; Bass players who unplug during the prayer or before their channel is muted; Guitar players whose amps mysteriously get louder and louder during worship; Or Pastors who put a cable knit sweater over their lapel mic and wonder why they can't be heard.

Make no mistake about it, volunteer sound people are the unsung heroes of the church. The truth of the matter is that most sound people are professionals who work hard all week at their 'real job' and then serve in the sound ministry at night and on the weekend. Because of this, most people come into the sound ministry with a willing heart but not very much knowledge about music, sound or sound systems. This lack of knowledge breeds either the 'tweeker' who is always turning knobs but doesn't really know what changes are being made or the 'petrified rock' who never touches anything on the mixer because they are afraid of messing something up.

THE ROOM ACOUSTICS

This is an area that plagues most churches because little attention is given to it while the building is being built. Like the sound system itself, room acoustics become a big concern when the first service comes around. Most "good" rooms are designed that way from the beginning. A room can be "fixed" to a certain extent after the fact with acoustic paneling, bass traps, and decorative wall treatments. Knowing how much treatment is enough for your room usually requires you to hire a qualified acoustical consultant to help you with type and placement. The room acoustics absolutely affect the ability to have good sound in a room. Remember you can't "E.Q." the room unless you physically change the room acoustics. Carpet, fabric covered chairs, and of course people, can dramatically change the way the room and the system will sound. A big sledgehammer can also help the acoustics of your building and although you might enjoy using it, it is not recommended as a long-term solution, so seek professional help on this one.

THE PROGRAM MATERIAL

At most churches each musician brings their instrument of choice and the sound person is expected to mix and equalize all and any instruments into a glorious blend of celestial music. It is a true fact that you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. In a later article I will address the need for the Music Pastor/Worship Leader to set and keep a standard for musical instruments that are onstage. As your congregation grows it is likely you will want the church to own the majority of key instruments you use on a regular basis such as drums and keyboards.

The other part of the program material that can make or break the sound of your service is the singers. I realize that I am walking on glass when talking about this but it must be addressed. Which is worse: seven singers who are flat and not in key or three singers who are flat and not in key? You would be surprised at the number worship teams where the singing was bad the decision was made to throw more singers at the problem, but the bad singers only threw the new singers off.

The last part of this element is the quality of musicianship ontage. This is more than just talent, the sound of your band or orchestra is also very dependent on the servant's heart to submit to the Music Pastor/Worship Leader as they submit to the Senior Pastor.

These four elements are the foundations for sound in any venue and they need to be addressed and incorporated into your church vision. It is very important that you never stop trying to achieve perfection in all these areas even though it may seem impossible, pressing toward that goal will constantly improve the quality of all you do at your church.

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