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Church Sound on a Budget

Believe it or not, it is possible to get great sound at church on a modest budget. But the key to getting the best deal on church sound equipment is not just about the price you pay, it’s about the quality you get in return.

Having great sound at your church doesn’t have to be a luxury reserved for large building budgets and a tech department with deep pockets. Even if your church has an older sound system, there are some budget-friendly ways you can enhance the quality of your sound.

In this post you’ll discover some important things that will help improve your church sound on a budget.

It all starts with the input source.

You can’t reproduce good quality audio if you aren’t capturing it well in the first...

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How to Set Tech Goals for Your Church

Change is something that is certain for all us, and that includes our church tech systems. Your electronic equipment won’t last forever. So, what’s your plan when something needs to be repaired, replaced, or upgraded?

While it might seem obvious to set tech goals for some of the bigger projects, it is equally important to plan for smaller maintenance tasks.

Planning and goal setting help save money on church technology, now and in the future.

Setting Tech Goals

Goal setting is similar to planning, but it provides a broader framework and vision to work from.

Identifying clear long-term and short-term goals for church technology will help during the planning process. Having clear goals also allows for creative thinking in how...

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Mixing Consoles for Small & Medium Churches

If there’s one technology component that your church needs to take its time and focus to decide on, it is the question of what audio mixing console should be used.

This decision can make the difference between ok sound and great sound, and it will definitely make a difference in the confidence (and even the size) of your sound team.

The main sound system controller at your church goes by many names: soundboard, audio desk, mixing console, mixer, etc. They all refer to the same thing.

Selecting the right soundboard for your church might be the biggest audio decision you make. After all, it’s hard to mix good sound without a good soundboard.

Here are some questions to ask to help lead you to the right choice for your church.

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How To Teach Church Tech

At some point in our time as a church sound tech, we’ll probably be asked to teach someone “everything we know about church sound.” That can feel incredibly intimidating!

There’s nothing quite like learning how to use a new piece of gear or practicing a new technique, and then having to train someone else on your team how to be proficient with it.

The great thing about this is that it forces you to truly grasp the fundamental concepts of what you’re doing and why.

In order to teach something effectively, you need to distill the complex variables of your task into manageable concepts that your student can comprehend and then put into practice.

I know it’s easy to be dazzled by the latest piece of...

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How to Get the Best Deal for Church Technology

If your church has been thinking about purchasing or upgrading a sound, video, or lighting system, then you likely have a few questions.

  • How do you get the best deal for your next tech upgrade at church?
  • How do you know if a contractor is giving you a fair price?
  • How do you decide if one proposal is the right solution or if you should select another bid (even if it might be a little higher)?
  • When is it good to buy equipment online or from a music store, and when should you get a contractor involved?

These are important questions.

The answer to these questions can make your project go super smooth, or it could be a disaster that ends up over budget and still doesn’t fully meet your needs.

Disclaimer: I’ve been a Sound Tech,...

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Portable Church Sound System Tips

Portable sound systems are used by a lot of churches.

Sometimes the entire sound system is portable. Or maybe there is a portable system available for special events like outdoor services or kids camps.

Selecting the right components for a portable sound system depends on several important variables. Choosing the right options can mean owning a system that sounds great and lasts for years. Spending money on the wrong products can be costly in time and money.

Here are some tips that can help you prioritize the right portable sound system components for your needs. (And it's not all about speakers and mixing consoles...)

Form & Function

This is all about the size, shape, weight, and portability of the sound system.

A portable sound...

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Should My Church Hire an Audio Contractor?

When it comes to church sound systems, there can be a lot of noise made about "saving money" and using "church talent" to design and install a new sound system.

Sometimes I gently respond to these questions and give a "soft pitch" for why a church may want to consider calling a reputable audio contractor or two.

Not today.

I have one word for you...

Don't!

Listen, I know there can be some amazingly talented and knowledgeable folks at your church. But ask this one question:

"Do they design and install professional-grade sound systems every day?"

Your electronics mega-retailer tech does not.

The live sound salesman at the music store does not.

And neither does the technical director at the mega church across town.

Ok, before you string me...

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