1. The Perfect
SoundcheckEight steps to getting the sound right
for every service and event
By Rick Stewart
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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 the
Correct Tools
Everything 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 Levels
Many 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 Source
Make 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.
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2. ■ 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 flat. Adjust the highpass or the low-cut filter 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 Mix
Listen to each input source individually for at least a few seconds to ensure
good signal flow. 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
conflicting signals to make them louder.
6. Set Monitor Levels
A 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 Levels
Once the monitors are set, refine 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 Mix
Make sure each instrument/vocal is properly placed in the mix and sounds
natural and balanced.
■ Use headphones sparingly, just to confirm 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!
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About Rick Stewart
Rick 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.Peavey
Sanctuary Series
Monitor
Shure
PSM 600
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