Josh Basil
Weekly Report # 1
January 28, 2007
I sat in the sound booth and observed all that goes on with the audio/ visual department.
When I got to church, I began looking for the soundman to explain the situation. I found him and introduced myself. His name was Tom and he was a really nice and understanding guy. He gave me a quick overview of what was what and certain things that were happening in today’s worship service. I already knew almost everything he was telling me because I work for a traveling sound company, but I wanted to hear his situation and view on things. He was explaining that the different frontline singers they have from week to week determines what volumes that mics will be set at. One of the singers that was there today sings really loud on her own, so he had her almost all the way down! Tom showed me the recording system they use and how it hooks up to the computer. It wasn’t part of Tom’s job, but the power point changer was also in the sound booth. I learned the importance of noticing where people sit. He showed me how they have a different volume control for the back speakers because that is where most of the older people sit. Today was the associate pastor’s last day, so there were a few special things. We had to get a cd ready for a lady to sing a special song. We turned the monitors off for announcements because most people aren’t used to hearing themselves and will talk differently if they hear themselves in the speakers. The choir mics were turned off for the quieter parts of songs so Paula (the piano player and lead vocalist) wouldn’t have to battle over the entire choir. There was only one time throughout the service that the monitors needed changed. The choir needed more lead vocals. The massage didn’t require much work from the sound booth, so we finally got a break! Towards the end (alter call) we turned most of it back on for the band. The alter call was finished and the band was slowing down, so we picked out a more upbeat worship cd and let that play until almost everyone was gone. As a result of this observation, I learned that there is a lot more work that goes into making a service sound good and run smoothly than most people think! It takes a lot of work and practice to become a good soundman.
5 comments:
Thats neat how you mentioned all of the work that goes into getting all of the levels right. I remember back home being back in the soundbooth as a kid and just wanting to turn all of the levels all of the way up. The sound guy, (I think his name was Ernie), wouldn't ever let me touch the board though. Those were good times though.
I also run sound at my church back home, so i totally agree with everything that you said. I think it is an amazing ministry too, just because of how you are serving as a sound guy and you usually go un-noticed, and that is simply amazing that some people would be willing to do that. Have a good one.
Sounds to me like this is a good example of the need to delegate responsibilities. It sounds like the sound guy knows quite a bit about making things work well.
although i do not have knowledge in the sound aspect...i feel that it is a key component in the service. Sound can be distracting if it is not done well, and i think that worship (considering how technical it is not) needs to remain a reverent time, and with sound done effectively, that is one less thing that could pull away from the focus on God during a service.
I sat in the sound booth at College Wesleyan Church last Sunday, so it was interesting for me to read your post. I learned a lot of different things just from reading your post. I thought it was interesting how you paid attention to where people sat and had to turn up certain speakers depending on where the older people sat. I never would have thought of that before! I agree with you in that working the sound booth takes a lot more effort than most people expect!
Post a Comment