Creating a Tech Team Part 2

 Part 2

Training and refreshers are necessities.  Technology by nature is ever changing and so we all need to be reminded of how to do certain tasks.  Try setting aside one evening a month specifically for training your teams.  Create breakout sessions to cover things specific to each team.  Youtube has many great training videos that would take the pressure off of you as far as having to come up with content on every occasion.

Scheduling is a necessary evil within a team.  There are many tools available to help with this including Planning Center, Google Calendars and the list goes on.  As mentioned above, lean on your team leads to take some of this off of your plate.

Teamwork makes the dream work, as is often stated and is very true.  You need people that are on board with your vision and with serving the Lord in general.  No man is an island unto himself, and you need solid team members to make the ministry grow.  Once they see your passion and willingness to spend and be spent, it will become contagious.  Can’t find volunteers?  Take a closer look at the introverts of your congregation.  I am an introvert by nature and have found some of my best team members from this sector of the church!  Most of them have a desire to serve, but operate at their best behind the scenes.

When planning for upgrades and creating workflows, do so with the volunteer in mind.  Just because you can afford a certain type of equipment does not always mean you should get it.  Ask yourself if it is user friendly to those that will only use it 2-3 times a month.  New volunteers will hesitate to commit if processes seem too overwhelming.  You should know your team's abilities better than anyone else.  Implement new equipment and future upgrades with your particular team in mind.  Most times you will have to jump in, learn and master things first so that you can teach it to those around you.

Pray for wisdom.  In all of my larger projects I always prayed for God to guide me as I was doing this for His kingdom.  It never failed that He would put the right person at the right time in my pathway to help with that particular thing.  Don’t get me wrong, you still need to do your part and put in the hours of research and due diligence.  But if you do your part, He will do his part.

Seek council!  Most other tech personnel that I have ever come into contact with in other churches are more than willing to give advice based upon past experience.  Do not feel intimidated to reach out and use people in those positions as resources.  I know in my experience I was always willing to help if it meant saving someone from making some of the same mistakes that I made along the way.

In summary, a tech team can be a wonderful experience both for the leader and the members.  It is a comradery that you will experience in few other places of ministry.  You will create lifelong friendships along the way, as well as getting to serve God in the process.

Creating a Tech Team Part 1

 Part 1

What are the benefits to having a volunteer tech team?  Wouldn’t it be easier to have one person per position that was trained extremely well in their craft? They would become so good at serving in their respective jobs that it would be heaven on earth, right? 

Actually the opposite is true.  In a volunteer environment having one person for each job leads to burn out, sedentary habits and many times ownership instead of stewardship of their position.  Another big consideration is that a team rotation allows your members the opportunity to sit on the pew and be involved in service on a regular basis.  There is nothing more disturbing than seeing someone that has served so long and so often that they have lost all spiritual drive.

Leadership flows from the top down.  Pastor to administrator to department leader to team leader to team members, or something very similar.  Leadership structure is ultra important and working within that framework will allow everyone to succeed.  Leadership also involves working well with the leaders of other departments whether you serve them directly or indirectly. In my opinion a leadership position basically means that you are the lead servant of your respective department or team.  A servant's heart is crucial, especially when settling differences within your team or within the organization or when being asked to do tasks that you feel are unnecessary.  

While you are indeed the greatest servant on your team, it does not mean that you shouldn’t delegate tasks. One of the best ways to train up future leaders is to give them a piece of the pie so that they can have “skin in the game” so to speak.  Investment into the kingdom will make for better team members and more grounded saints.  For instance, team leaders can handle scheduling tasks, coordinate training specific to their team, or even help make critical decisions when the time for new equipment purchases comes around.  It should be rewarding to you as a leader to see the members of your team grow and flourish.

Look for ways to create that “spark”!  In many respects it is hard to create motivation and excitement in a volunteer environment.  Most of the time you, as the leader, are way more passionate about tech than your team members.  This is pretty typical, but you have to find ways to transfer your enthusiasm to others.  Small gift cards, candy, pats on the back, occasional get togethers all help to create a good work environment.  Also, attending off site training together as a team usually helps build that team spirit.  Another idea is to schedule 2 of your newer team members to work in tandem for a special event.  They will be nervous, but will lean on one another to accomplish a successful event, service, drama, etc.  Yes, you will be around to support them if there is a difficulty, but once they taste success in a special event format, it will make them hungry for more.

To be continued.

Mixing Consistency

Are you easily offended when someone criticizes your mix?  Are there things that you change immediately after recalling the Base Setting (starting point) because you see things a different way?  What source are you getting your preferences from?

Who is the mixing standard bearer/sound leader on your team?  Would you welcome them sending  you a text during service to correct an issue that they may hear?

In the event that each member starts to create their own path, the eventual end result can go much farther than you may think.  I have witnessed multiple instances where each member would end up creating their own base setting based upon personal preference.  Maybe one didn’t really care for guitar, or the other really liked a certain singer, etc.  Some team members would even create a personal base setting, hide it farther down the list so that others couldn’t easily find it, and lock out certain features so that other members couldn’t access them.  It easily can become a game of cat and mouse, and this eventually leads to an inconsistent worship experience for the church body.  The people on the pew should not be able to tell who is mixing without turning around to look.  It is desirable for a sound mixing standard to be set, molded over time and upheld by the entire team, even if that means that members are periodically taught/corrected along the way.

The goal here is not to kill initiative within the team, but to create boundaries to work within that will create some form of consistency over time.  There are many ways to be creative while still facilitating the vision of the standard bearer.  The “set it and forget it” motto really doesn’t fit into this philosophy of mixing.  We should all be striving for excellence within our area of responsibility.

Are you struggling in a certain area?  Request off-night training or just a quick brush up from your leadership.  We all forget things from time to time, and it does not mean that you are incompetent because you need a refresher.  Also, technology is always changing, so learning is an ever present part of this process. 

Are you overlooking the simple things?  Always check to make sure that the correct vocal EQ’s are assigned to each member of the praise team.  Have you pulled the aux keys back for a certain part in a song, but forgotten to boost them back up?  Are you periodically checking to make sure all musicians are sitting properly in the mix?  Is the compressor set too aggressively on the preacher’s vocal, or not aggressively enough?  

You have a MASSIVE tool box with the equipment that you have at your fingertips, don’t be afraid to dig in and use everything that is available!

To summarize, we all need instruction and training along the way.  If we are approachable and possess a teachable spirit, it makes for a better working environment for the team and a better listening experience for the congregation.

Equalizing

 When is it good enough? Is good enough the enemy of best where running sound and EQing is concerned? What should notify you first when there is a problem with a channel EQ, your ears or the equipment? Are there any artifacts in a vocal that are annoying to the ear? Is the vocal harsh to the ear or does it distract the listener from the message or song? These are the types of questions that come to mind when thinking about adjusting EQ on a given vocal.

The Relationship Between the Desk & the Stage

 The technology and music departments are two groups that will always work extremely close together.  One is no less important than the other, but they do play different roles in the overall process.  The relationship between these two must be built on trust.  Trust begins with each position showing that work (research, development, team development and training, routine maintenance) is being taken care of in a manner that will benefit the other party.  Trust is solidified when problems are dealt with in a professional manner, especially when there are others present.  If there is an interpersonal conflict that occurs, it needs to be handled behind closed doors after the practice or event has taken place.  Handle these things wisely as it could cost someone their soul. 

Unity is crucial to success!  This isn’t a divided church or kingdom, we should all be working towards a common goal.  Unity of the body doesn’t end at the sound booth or the platform.  We each play a vital part in the final product (outcome) of the service.  Each is needed in their particular role.  If there is conflict between leadership (music director and tech director), it will be permissible for those serving under us to show the same disrespect to one another.  Unity starts at the top.

Communication plays a key role in this relationship. What are the expectations of the music director for a particular song or service?  What processes on the platform will aid in easier workflow at the sound desk?  

• Music - Train your teams with methods that will make the sound techs job easier.

• Sound - Train your teams according to what is requested from the music director

Signs of a bad relationship.  When this relationship breaks down it first shows up in the language/tone that is used in conversation, particularly during practice sessions.  It can even go as far as showing up in demeaning posts on social media.  Bitterness begins to creep in and the two camps begin to separate into opposing sides, each unwilling to work towards a compromise.  This is a no-win situation for not only the two sides involved, but also for the congregation in general.  Actions begin to be taken that are not for the betterment of the Kingdom, but are used as a way to get back at the other side.  

Position Ownership vs. Stewardship.  

• Ownership of your position means that you will defend it to the utmost and that you will not surrender it until you are well past being productive in that particular role.  This leads to sedentary habits and attitudes to form, which leads to bitterness in the end.  

• Stewardship of your position indicates that you will work diligently in your role in order to leave it better than you found it, and that you are ready (and emotionally able) to step aside at the moment that benefits everyone.

Technical difficulties can be devastating if not handled properly.  If there is an issue with faulty equipment, fix it asap.  If you run out of time, relay that information to the music director which keeps him/her informed that you are concerned and pursuing the problem.  Fix it immediately if at all possible.  Arrive early for practices and/or services and show initiative to go above and beyond expectations.  Be proactive in equipment maintenance to make sure that events can be successful and operate without interruption.  Do your best to remain calm under pressure, this will inspire confidence in others.  Research new equipment and methods using the internet, printed materials and networking with other people that are passionate about technology in the church setting.  Stay on top of your craft.  There are many sources online for this type of information, including free industry magazines.   

If the repair is above your level of expertise, defer to church leadership to approve the cost of hiring someone to fix the issue as soon as possible.  If there is limited space in the church budget for tech related expenses/purchases/repairs, it may be time to have that conversation so that you can maintain the level of technical excellence that is appropriate for your particular congregation.

Sound Advice

 Mixing sound for an event or service is more than pushing faders and turning knobs.  Each performance and/or song will require different tweaks to your mix if you are to do justice to, not only your listeners, but the musicians and singers that have already invested hours in practicing a part that may never get to be heard.

Paying attention is one of the most foundational things to learn when running sound.  There is nothing more distracting to a service than for a mic or instrument to be muted at the wrong instant.  You should always have your focus on the stage area, even during prayer.  There is nothing wrong with prayer at all, but the whole reason for the “team” concept is that you are sacrificing your night so that the rest of the team can be involved in service.  Pray with eyes opened.

Contentment is the enemy of a good mix.  Many times we will get so used to mixing the same group of people (or in the same venue) that we will adjust channels to an acceptable level or mix early in the service and then relax, daydream or get distracted by something or someone nearby.  It takes the extra effort of critical mixing to make the song sound as it should.  Use your headphones for reference, especially during rehearsal.  Practices are intended for more than assigning microphones...we should be learning the song as well.  Also, listening to a recorded version of the song before the performance will really help you to know how the song was intended to be mixed.  

Examples:

-Drums may really be a driving force in part of a song, but be very much in the background on another part.  

-If it is a very traditional song, the organ will play a much larger role than it might in a more contemporary song. 

-There may be a guitar or saxophone solo at a certain point in the song.  Adjustments need to be made for this type of occurrence. 

-The loops or stems may vary in content greatly from one song to the next.  One stem may have many instruments in it and need to be very heavy in the mix and loop may be mainly just percussive in nature.

-The lead vocalist may need to be elevated for the verse of the song, but mixed back in with the team for the rest of the song.

Effects are a great way to enhance your sound.  If used incorrectly or in over abundance, these effects can ruin your mix.  Just remember that many small adjustments generally make for a better overall result.  There are many effects used for all sorts of different applications, but here are a few to note:

Compression - A very handy tool to control a dynamic singer or speaker, but also to control a larger group of singers and help mesh them all together.  Compression can also be a big asset on many of the different instruments including drums, guitars, bass, etc.

Reverb - This is probably the one of the most commonly used effects, and when used in the right context, can really enhance vocals on a slower type of songs.  Drums can also benefit when used correctly.

Echo - This effect can get out of hand quickly, but when used in the proper context can greatly enhance a soloist on a slower song.  Echo is usually used in conjunction with a “tap tempo” button on your console which will be tapped in sync with the rhythm of the song being sung.

Gate - A good tool when you have a guitar that has a buzz when everything is quiet.  You can set the threshold of the gate just high enough that the gate “closes” and mutes the buzz when nothing is being played.  As soon as the musician plays a note above that threshold, the gate “opens” and becomes unmuted.  Other uses could be on certain drum mics to prevent cross talk between drums coming through the sound system.

Mixing choirs can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your time serving in a church environment.  It can also bring you to the edge of losing your mind.  Choir mics are condenser style microphones, this means that they are generally phantom powered and have a very wide pick up (or coverage) pattern.  This makes the stage noise level ultra important, as the mics will easily pick up acoustic drums, guitar amps or any number of other things.  Even monitors that are mixed too loud can become a problem.  Choir mics should be spaced 8-9’ apart for better separation and less cross talk.  Also, never add the choir mics themselves into the monitor mix.  Gain settings on these mics is a really important factor, and sometimes it takes a lot of time and tweaking to get optimum settings.  

Audience size and participation have a great bearing on what volume level you should be mixing at.  The overall volume should be leading the audience in worship.  When people start to hear themselves singing and clapping, it causes them to stop or back off for fear of being heard above everyone else.  This is not to say that the overall volume needs to be loud for the sake of being loud, but people respond better when they are led in worship by the volume itself.  

Having your sound system properly EQ’d and adjusted to your room will go a long way to making smooth, consistent sound.  In many instances the overall sound volume may seem extremely loud when it is really just a very annoying frequency problem with the system, the vocal or the instrument.  Harsh tones are very hard for the human ear to digest.  It is very possible for the EQ settings to be so distracting that the audience members receive nothing at all out of the service.  

Survey your room periodically.  Practice is an excellent time to walk around your room and see what your audience will be hearing.  Many mixing consoles now come with ipad connectivity which makes it much easier to leave a “fixed” FOH position and walk the room.  Speakers can fail and you may never realize it without moving from your usual mix position.  Powered monitors may come unplugged or be tampered with between services.  Develop an eye for detail!

Stay up to date on your craft.  There has never been a time when free information on mixing is more available than it is now.  There are several free magazine subscriptions available, as well as many websites that are dedicated to sound mixing education.  YouTube is another amazing resource that you have access to.  It is very easy to educate yourself with all of these resources.   

Here are a few:

• www.tfwm.com; www.prosoundnetwork.com; 

• www.churchproduction.com

• www.mixonline.com

• www.prosoundweb.com

• www.fohonline.com