Despite how well designed a sound system is it still requires a trained operator to make the right decision at the right time to bring your sound to life. A sound operator can either greatly enhance or totally destroy the worship experience. I can help orientate your operators to learn what the goals of a good sound system are. Here's a quick list of topics discussed during the session:

• Stay focused on the activity on the platform. Watch for persons advancing toward a mic to make sure it's on
   
• Learn to blend music and vocals
   
• Learn to control and listen in advance for feedback or other noises that will detract from the worship experience
   
• Listen to the wishes of the music director. A sound operator is a support ministry and not meant to replace the direction of the music director
   
• Make a pre-check before each service to make sure mics are working, fresh batteries are in wireless mics, etc.
   
• Use the sound system to fill in the missing sound not overpower the congregation
   
• Overview of all controls on the mixing console and how to use them
   
• Learn how to mix music so you can feel the movement and learn to build the sound with a crescendo for example
   
• Many other sound mixing techniques and need to know stuff gleaned from years of mixing experience!

Who should attend the session

It is impossible to transfer years of knowledge in a few hours of training. It will still be up to your operators to commit the time to expand on and practice the techniques and tips discussed in your session. Neither is there any guarantee that the next service after this class will be a world class sound mixing event. It takes time to develop the art of mixing sound.

However, what your techs will get is what the goal post looks like. You can't paint a picture until you can see the image in your mind. You can't mix sound if you don't know what you're listening for.

IMPORTANT

The best sound techs have a musical background because they have already developed a musical ear. They know intuitively what sounds good. You want a person like this mixing your sound. A tech wiz that is tone deaf cannot mix sound without a lot of training. I mean A LOT OF IT! A hard of hearing person cannot mix sound either despite their dependability or other attributes that might make them attractive for the position. Sound mixing is a SERIOUS ministry. Treat it as such by filling it with people that are qualified as much as possible.

The rates for the sessions are: $350 for a daytime session and $450 for a night time or weekend session. This includes travel time within a 2 hour radius of Fayetteville, NC. The session will last a minimum of 2 hours with a 4 hour maximum. You can have has many attend as you want but remember the more that attend generally the less everyone receives because this is a hands on session. You might consider 1 or 2 key operators with others looking on as observers. Of course, all can ask as many questions as they can think up. You can also video tape or record your session for later viewing.

No manuals will be provided on a regular basis though we may bring materials that pertain to your specific mixing console for students to take notes. Manuals aren't provided because you learn by experience and physically writing things down. This is a proven method supported by many educational institutions. You retain much more by actually writing, not typing, but writing your own notes.

You will also receive a quick overview of your sound system for possible problems that cannot be overcome by trained operators. For example, if one of your complaints is you can't hear clearly the voices of the choir or the sound is uneven over the sanctuary, that is not an operator problem but a built in defect of the sound system design.

As this is intended as a training class no service work will be done on your equipment other than simple adjustments. Any service work requested will be scheduled for another time.

Click here to have our training team to contact you for more details.