The_Perfect_Soundcheck_RStewart

The Perfect SoundcheckEight steps to getting the sound right for every service and event

By Rick Stewart

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhttttttttttttt ssssssssssttttttttttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeppppppppppppsssssssss tttttttooooooo gggggeeeeetttinngg the sound riffffffffffffffffffooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr eeeeeeeeeeeeevvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrryyyyyyy ssssssssseeeeeeerrrrrvvvvviiiicccee aannd event

ByByByBy R R RRicicick k k kk StStStStSteweewewarararttt

Each week the worship singers, musicians, and technicians at hundreds of churches around the country come together for rehearsals and then gather for weekend services. Everyone has talents he or she brings to the table, and they all want the most impact possible throughout the worship, music, drama, and message. If only the sound and mix could be right for every service! After all, nothing has more bearing on how your morning goes than the sound quality of the mix and any technical problems that may arise during the service.

So, how do we get it right every time? The key is the soundcheck, where the system is set up and the mix is created. A great soundcheck will make for a great

rehearsal and a great service. Embrace the following eight simple steps, and you can have a great mix every time your worship

team takes the stage.

1. Mains First, Monitors Second

Every member of the team needs to understand that if you begin with the end in mind (what the

audience/congregation will hear), then everything else (monitors, in-ear levels, recording, etc.) will

come together quickly. Ask the singers and musicians to be patient while the technician adjusts the gain structure in the house and sets the levels and EQ.

■ Make sure all monitor wedges and speakers are facing toward the singers and musicians, not aiming out into the house.

■ Use instrument amps as personal monitors, then take direct feeds or mic the amps for even and balanced coverage in the house.

■ Keep the onstage volume low.

2. Use theCorrect ToolsEverything will be so much easier if the proper mics and direct boxes are used. All mics and direct boxes are not equal; use each for its designed purpose. Your Sweetwater Sales Engineer is a great resource. He or she can make the appropriate recommendations to help you achieve the results you want.

■ For the cleanest sound, use direct boxes where possible.

■ When mics are in use, position them so that they pick up only the sound you want. Do what you can to minimize onstage sources from “bleeding” into multiple instrument or singer mics.

3. Have the Musicians/Vocalists Play and Sing at Performance LevelsMany singers and players test their mics at levels much different than those at which they actually play or sing during a performance. This results in the levels and settings being off from where they need to be for the actual service. For the soundcheck, have the musicians and vocalists choose a song and/or settings they’ll actually use for the service.

■ Musicians and vocalists: Play/sing your part at “real” performance level for as long as the sound technician needs to properly adjust your gain settings.

■ Sound techs: Set your main left/right output fader level, then set your channel trim/gain settings to the lowest setting. Now, bring the channel fader to unity (“0”). While the musician or singer is performing, slowly bring up the trim/gain until there is good level in the house. (You can also use PFL/solo/cue to meter adjustments.)

4. Correct Levels and EQ at the SourceMake sure the musicians are giving you the best levels and EQ possible from their instruments, and ensure that the vocalists are singing directly into the microphones.

666666666666666666666666666666666.66.6666.6666.666.66.6666666.6.66.6.6666666666. Worship Sound Pro 101 Guides

csal; pose. eer is a great e the appropriate

JBLVRX928LA

WhirlwindIMP 2

008-009_101_Perfect_Sounds.indd 8008-009_101_Perfect_Sounds.indd 8 1/2/09 7:55:08 AM1/2/09 7:55:08 AM

■ Be aware of proximity effect (bass boost caused by the mic being too close to the source) — it makes a huge difference in level and tonal quality.

■ Think about the frequency range of each instrument/vocalist. Start with the channel EQ fl at. Adjust the highpass or the low-cut fi lter to clean up the bottom end and reduce muddiness in the mix. Then, make adjustments. Remember, a little EQ goes a long way!

5. Start Building Your MixListen to each input source individually for at least a few seconds to ensure good signal fl ow. Then, have the rhythm section (keys/bass/drums) play while you adjust mix levels. Add each team member to the mix one at a time, making adjustments as you go.

■ Use the channel faders for level adjustments and to balance sources in the mix — your trim/gain levels were set in Step 2.

■ Proper EQ will allow the various instruments and vocals to peacefully coexist in the mix. Create a clearer mix by “carving out” a frequency range for each voice and instrument to live in, rather than trying to turn up confl icting signals to make them louder.

6. Set Monitor LevelsA monitor mix should have only what’s absolutely necessary in it. If there are too many instruments/vocals in a monitor wedge mix, then you’ll end up with overpowering levels, and the performers still won’t be able to hear themselves. Less is more when it comes to monitors.

■ Use the aux/monitor send controls to set levels; do not adjust the channel gain/trim controls. Using the gain/trim controls will affect the house mix, which you already set in Steps 2 and 5.

■ Vocal monitors need pitch and tempo references — piano, guitar, vocals, and a touch of snare drum.

■ Band/instrument monitors should contain the other instruments and the lead vocal/worship leader.

7. Check House, Recording, and Other LevelsOnce the monitors are set, refi ne your house mix. Now is the time to get out from behind the soundboard and walk around the room. Listen to what the congregation/audience will hear.

■ At least once during rehearsal, bring the main house level all the way down while the group is playing. Check the overall monitor/stage volume. If it’s overpowering the house mix, then the stage volume will have to come down.

8. Listen to the Final MixMake sure each instrument/vocal is properly placed in the mix and sounds natural and balanced.

■ Use headphones sparingly, just to confi rm what you’re hearing in the house or to check for problems.

That’s it!

If you follow these eight steps every time you prepare for the worship team to take the stage, then you will have a great mix and great sound — and a better worship experience for your congregation every time!

/trim controeps 2 and 5.

■ Be aware fofof proro iximity eefffect (b(bass s bob ost caaussusededed b byy themiic bbeieingng ttoooo cclolosese ttoo ththee source) it makes a huge difference in level

vocalist. Start with theter to clean up the make adjustments.

seseconds to ensureass/ddrur ms) play he mixix o one at a time,

lancen Step 2.

als to peacefully ut” a frequency rangge rying to turn up

sary in it. If therex, then you’ll end up be able to hear

adjust thel ill ff t

tchh aandn tempopo r eferenencec s — — pipianano,o, g guitar,r v voco als,rum.

ttorors shouldld c contain thehe o other i insnstrumumenentss a andnd thederr.

Reecocordrding, andn Otherer L evvelels,, r refie ne yoyourur h houo se mix. NoNow is the timme e to ggetet outt ardrd a andn walalk k ararououndn the roooom.m Listen to wwhah t ththe ill hear.r.

■ At leeasast t oncee d dururing rehearsal, bring ttheh maiain n hohoususe level alall l the way down while tthehe g groroupup is playing. Check the overall mmononiti or/s/stat ge vololumu e. If it’s overpowererining g ththe e house mix, then the stage voluumeme w will hahave to cocome down.

8. Listen too t theh Final MixMake sure each instrument/vocal is properly placed in the e mim x and sosounundsdnatural and balanced.

■ Use headphones sparingly, just to confi rm what yoy u’u rere h heae ringng in the house or to check for problems.

That’s it!

If you follow these eight stepps s eveverery y time you pprepap ree fforor ttheheee w wororrshshshipipip ttteaam m tototake the stage, then you willl l hahave a great mmixix aandnd g ggrereatat ssouououndndndn — — — a a aandndnd a a a b betetttetetetetetetettt rrr r rrrrrrworship experience for youour r cocongn regag tiono eeveveeryry t timime!e!

ols will affect

difference in level

■ Vocalal m ononiti orrss nen ed pit a and a touuchch o off snnarare e dr

■ BBanand/d/ininstrumentt mmononitit l ead voocacal/l/wow rship leadad

7. CCheheh ckck HHouousese, ROnce the mmonititoro s are sesettfrom behinnd d the e soundboacocongngreregagatition/aaududience wi

■■ AAtt leleaastt oncece dduru ing rehe

About Rick StewartRick Stewart is a senior sales consultant

for ASG (Advanced Systems Group — ASG

is the Installation Alliance Group for

Sweetwater). Rick also does training events

and seminars in churches and works with

worship teams to help them maximize their

sound, both technically

and musically.PeaveySanctuary Series Monitor

ShurePSM 600

008-009_101_Perfect_Sounds.indd 9008-009_101_Perfect_Sounds.indd 9 1/2/09 7:55:32 AM1/2/09 7:55:32 AM