Sound Advice by Leon Sievers Sound Professional May 27, 2007
Now assuming we have an
acceptable monitor speaker, how do we go about “mixing” the sound? Depending
on the equipment or available budget to upgrade, there are three likely
scenarios. The first is to use a split snake, which allows you to take
the signal from the stage and send it to separate house and monitor mixing
consoles. This method can accommodate a larger number of mixes and more
control over “who” hears “what.” Usually this monitor console would be
located on or near the stage permitting the engineer his own perception
of what the stage levels are. The drawback is that it requires another
person to operate the equipment and for some churches additional equipment
to setup and tear down.
Many church engineers mix
the monitors using the aux send(s) located on the front of house or F.O.H.
console. There are different ways to mix monitors using the FOH console.
I recommend using the aux sends which are pre-eq and pre fader. Using the
Pre eq aux sends because the selective equalization that you apply to a
channel using the main speakers as your reference would not translate well
to the monitors. Likewise, a little more “shine” in the drum monitor might
be too much in the house. Pre fader aux send(s) are unaffected by the changes
made by the house engineer to the channel faders of the house mix. I find
that this method is relatively easy for the novice to learn and makes it
more difficult for the engineer to get into trouble during the service.
By adjusting the aux send level control for each individual channel, you
can direct the vocal or instrument to as many separate mixes as you have
aux sends, amplifier channels and monitors. Usually at least the aux 1
and aux 2 send(s) can be used in this configuration. Most often you would
offer at least two mixes to the stage. I usually identify front stage monitors
as aux 2 and rear stage monitors as aux 1. This physical relationship on
the board is easy to remember as it correlates to the stage. While this
sounds more complicated than it really is, most console manufacturers give
you a play by play description of this method in their owners manual.
Couln't have put it better myself !
Came across this by accident and read with interest. As a professional sound engineer working outside in the real world as well as advising churches I could not have put it better myself. Very good, solid advice, well written and explained.Buy the...more
Submitted by: geoff boswell Location: Ashtead, Surrey UK
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Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.