“I found your site quite by accident and have enjoyed reading your
articles and have shared them with others. You seem to have a good handle on sound,
so I amasking for your advice. We are looking to upgrade our system…..we want to purchase to take us at least 10 years if possible, but we aren’t ready to go digital. Cost is a consideration. Any suggestions you may have for us would be appreciated.
Thank you.”

This is part of an email that I recieved recently. I recieve many email just like this. Here was my reply.

“Thanks for the email. You have your hands full. I am glad your church is seeing such a revival, especially in youth.

It would seem that you are at a point were many churches make a big mistake. The mistake is to think they can continue to purchase items from a music store, one or two pieces at a time.

Instead, may I suggest that this is the perfect time to find a audio systems contractor in your area that you can begin a long term relationship with.

A good audio professional can help you develop your big picture and then walk with you to that end.

I would start by talking to other churches and schools in your area and getting references. Then meeting with them, you’ll know when you’ve got the right fit.

Buying gear is simple, building a system that meets your needs and integrates together is much more difficult.”

I’ve been mixing audio for more than twenty years. I’ve mixed almost every weekend for two large churches the last ten. This weekend I HIRED a friend of mine to come in and mix the services. He has an extensive live background, mixing for major crusades the world over for the last fifteen years. He also owns and operates a recording studio north of Los Angles.

Why you ask? To give me a different point of view. A different take on what I work with weekly. Although our mixes were similar, he approached pretty much everything differently. I learned a lot.

I highly recommend this to every church. We can all learn and get better. If you think your the best, I guarantee you have lost your edge. We can always learn, get better, see things from a different point of view.

You can teach an old dog a new trick, if the dog is willing…

I was speaking with a music pastor the other day and he asked me if I could help him find a part time soundman to head up his tech team. When is it time to hire?
SVCOnline has a great article that answers alot of the questions you may have.