Sound Sanctuary

As I was pondering on what to write about for this month's Sound Sanctuary, I couldn't help thinking about how many really interesting e-mails I have received over the years. They have not only been interesting but I have picked up a lot of useful information as a result of the e-mails and the sound techs who write them. I just want to say that many of you out there who read this column appear to have more knowledge, experience and greater understanding of mixing worship sound than myself. One of these months, I will list all of the amazing people who have written to me over the years.

In January, I went to the Winter NAMM show, and I was very impressed with what I heard and saw. There were a lot of new products that seemed to be more methodically designed. What I mean is, more thought as to what the end users' needs and purposes are. It seemed like research and development had improved, and the quality of construction seemed better.

A short while ago, I received e-mail from a reader named Tim Wright of Des Moines, IA. Tim wrote me about questions and concerns his congregation had with regard to the effect bass (sub frequencies) may have on pacemakers and internal heart defibrillators.

I love the New Year. It's a chance for us all to do better than we did during the last year. This is true for all aspects of life. However, I am discussing live worship sound and how you can improve yourself in that arena this New Year. As for everything else, there are plenty of TV and radio shrinks to help you there. So, where do we begin?

Every year, I write a little something about the holiday season. Usually I share some of my personal rules and regulations that get me through the season with a smile on my face, and this year is no exception.

Every month, I attempt to write about issues, items and situations that directly involve or affect the worship sound world. However, there are a few different dividing lines with regards to those of you who work in this corner of live sound.

Please don't let the title of this month's Sound Sanctuary lead you to believe that I think that being wireless makes one more Godly. It just seems rather obviously that an all-knowing, all-powerful being does not need to be wired. So, if you are planning on shooting me an e-mail, relax; I am only going to discuss the wireless needs of our mortal pastors, priest, rabbis and preachers, etc.

Today we will be discussing the subject of house of sound pressure levels (volume). The size and shape of a worship space can affect the overall sound level, but of course the desires of the congregation (and leadership) will determine how much volume will be allowed in a particular worship house.

If you are a regular reader of this column, then you have already read some of my writings on Equalization, or, as I like to refer to it, "Frequency Manipulation." I never grow tired of this subject. Mainly because all the sound we hear is made up of a combination of frequencies, and the more control you have over those frequencies, the better you can make things sound. It is as simple as that.

Last month, we looked at a variety of location options for your house of worship mixing console. This month, we will investigate the all-important location and positioning of your FOH speakers.

One of the most common things I see (and hear) when I evaluate a house of worship sound system is that the mixing console is not in a very "sound-friendly" location. There are obvious limitations when deciding on the placement of the board, but I have seen a worship house spend buckets of money on a state-of-the-art system and then stick their mixing console in an out-of-the-way corner of the worship room.

A few months ago I wrote about setting up and mixing events at your house of worship that are not the typical Sunday or Wednesday services. I also got into a discussion about outreach events and all that they can entail. I want to continue in similar direction this month.