This is a very General Blog....for more detailed information visit http://www.creativesoundsolution.com/ or http://www.upthemiddle.com/
The biggest stumbling block we come across is the fact we are a retail store. It’s not until people get to know our passion for Church planting they begin to open up and trust our suggestions. To save everyone a lot of time…….Our goal is to equip, empower, and educate. No matter how long it takes!
How IT Works…
So you received the call…it’s your time to plant a Church and begin to change the lives in your community. As you well know, some of the biggest roadblocks are costs, and some of the largest costs come from your Audio, Video, and lighting systems. In this pamphlet we will go over all aspects of an A/V/L system. We will give you suggestions regarding quality and where not to cut corners. We have also included some resources and training documents to help you get a understanding of audio engineering.
Creative Sound Solutions began as a small sound company providing cost effective solutions for Churches that could not afford the full cost of production. Every show we did we had the same questions. “How can I get my Church to sound like that”….We’ll needless to say we began training and sound checking Churches across Florida. 3 Years later, we have become dealers for most all Pro audio/Lighting/Video brands and have done many installs in the Church market. We have also worked hand in hand with mobile Church plants. The Church at the Crossing was our last Project…..
Pastor Stacey Turney, Church at the Crossing, Dothan Alabama
“I recently purchased a complete sound system through Tony Flammia and his company Creative Sound Solutions. As a new church plant, we were working on a tight budget, but knew that we needed quality sound from quality equipment. I had a list of equipment that was provided by the Association of Related Churches (ARC), and had researched pricing for this equipment. While attending recent 9 day training with the ARC in Ft. Myers, Fl., I met Tony Flammia and discussed our sound equipment needs. Tony sent me a quote on the equipment and after comparing the different prices from other companies, our church made a decision to do business with him.
Tony has consistently given us great customer service and has always been competitive in his pricing. After we purchased the equipment, he drove 10 hours to our church and spent 3 days assembling the system and training our workers on it. I found that Tony not only has expertise in sound systems but also has a heart for ministry and particularly church planting. He went out of his way to make sure we were taken care of and that we were ready to launch our church right. Now that we are up and running, Tony calls on a weekly basis just to see if we need any help.”
Audio Equipment
Your sound system is crucial to the overall experience for someone coming to your Church for the first time. If it’s too small the sound will feel very hollow and empty. If it way too big, it may end up muddy and boomy. The idea is to look at the area your setting up in and take into consideration the style of music you’ll be playing. Then design a system that fits all your needs. Sound treatment may also need to be figured in for rooms that are too live like cafeterias, gyms, ect…..
A sound system will generally include….
· Speakers (Passive or Active)
· Mixing Console
· Digital Signal Processing
· Multi Channel Snakes
· Microphones
· Power Amps
· Monitors, DI boxes, Specialty Cables
Speakers
When it comes to speakers most people think bigger is better. Some of the best sounding speakers, however, come from small packages. Look at Bose! 3.5” speakers, but unbelievable quality. This quality comes from using speakers that can reproduce the frequencies very efficiently. For rock concerts 15” speakers will work fine. But with church worship and spoken word, you want more clarity. A 15” woofer with a 6” mid range ans 1” horn will do the trick. These speakers are generally three-way powered speakers and will give you a full clean sound. Couple that with a 15” or 18” sub and your golden. 12” speakers work great for vocals but may not be able to fill the room. They make great monitors though. Some speaker manufacturers make dual 12” mains that are very loud...but I still like the ability to have a 6” or 8” also.
Sub woofers are almost a necessity if you’re playing contemporary Christian worship. These speakers handle the low frequencies typically from 120hz down to 30hz. Too much will muddy a room, not enough will make your mix thin. This is where a separate aux send or a mono fader on your console come in handy.
f you’re a mobile Church self powered speakers help during setup time and come in a wide variety of models. They also cut down on cable costs.
Recommend Speaker Brands: Danley Sound Labs, WharfedalePro, RCF, QSC,
Allowance: 3K to 30K Depending on brand and QTY
Mixing Consoles
The mixing console is where most Churches decide to cut corners. This is the worst place to do so…. Imagine you buying a brand new car and its perfect from bumper to bumper, it runs like a champ. Then you sit down and the steering wheel is a set of vice-grips clamped to the steering shaft. It works but it’s hard to get it to do what you want it to.
The mixing console is the heart of your system. It contains the pre-amps, the EQs, aux sends for monitoring, and faders. Cheap Pre-amps will add noise to your mix and a cheap EQ will not allow you to obtain the sounds you want.
Make sure the Console you get has good pre amps, at least two mid sweepable frequencies on the EQ, 4 to 8 aux sends, or….a good warranty. Allow 4K to 8K for high end consoles. 1K to 3K for mid.
Recommended Consoles: Yamaha, Allen & Heath GL, Phonic
Allowance: 1K to 8K Analog, 8K to 50K Digital
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
DSP is most commonly left out of most Churches due the tech team not knowing how to use it. All of our systems come with compression on all sends to the speaker amps, compression on vocals, Bass, and Keys. Gates on Drums and vocals and so on. All mixes should have an EQ for feedback elimination and to get the equalize the mix in the room.
Other DSP units like Drive racks, Feedback Eliminators and processors are becoming more and more popular. These unit are a luxury if you can fit them in the budget.
What’s a Compressor? In simple terms, a compressor is an automatic volume control. Loud sounds over a certain threshold are reduced in level while quiet sounds remain untreated
What’s a Gate? A piece of sound processing equipment that reduces background noise by muting a sound signal when it falls below a certain level, restoring it when the level increases again
Recommended Processors: DBX, Phonic
Allowance: Depending on system size allow anywhere from 1K to 3K
Multi Channel Snakes
This is another area where you do not want to go cheap. If you’re a mobile Church you may end up spending as much as 3K for a snake. Why? It would be nice to run one cable then attach it to the back of your snake box and console. Using split snakes can save a lot of time during setup. The one downfall is they only make them in the highest product lines…which is a blessing in disguise. It will last forever.
If you’re a permanent installed Church then a standard high quality snake will work. If there is no way to run a snake from the console to the stage a digital snake may need to be looked into. A digital snake will allow you to run CAT5 cable.
Recommended Snakes: Pro-Co, Hosa, Aviom
Allowance: Allow 3K to 6K for high end. $500 to 1.5K for mid
Microphones
Ok, now I’ve said not to cheap out on pretty much everything…..well mics you can get away with. Don’t quote me on it but if you’re not going wireless a SM58 for vocals is perfect. Astatic has come out with some great mics that compete with Shure but half the price….I’d recommend those.
If you’re using acoustic drums make sure your mic kit is decent….Beta52 on the kick sm57 on the snare and toms, and some decent condenser overheads.
Wireless mics have seen a challenge due to the FCC regulation, yet many companies have seen this coming and come up with options. Most wireless mics you buy today should be ok. Make sure they do not run in the 698-806 frequency range. Allow for at least one wireless headset, and a mic pack for your band. From 2K to 4K
Power Amps
If your speakers are passive (Non-powered) you will need power amps. It is important to buy amps that are known for dependability. Once the amp goes…everything goes.
Recommended amps: QSC, Wharfedale, Crown
Monitors, Misc, Cabling
Monitors come in many sizes…the smaller the better for vocals. A 12” for your from line and a 15” for your bass player and drummer will work great. Make sure you have a EQ dedicated for each monitor mix. If your console has 4 aux sends….that means you can have up to four monitor mixes and will need four EQs.
Many Churches are going with in ear systems like Aviom. This allows for low stage volume, less feedback, and less damage to the bands ears. Aviom systems include an input module that turns the analog signal to digital. Then it sends the digital signal to the distributor where is splits the signal to each personal mixer. Each band member will then have their own personal mix customized by their own mixer. Aviom systems range from 3K to 8K
Aside from monitors an assortment of direct boxes and cables will be needed.
A direct box takes line level instruments (Like a keyboard) and steps it down to mic level. See the example system list for cables.
How far can we go?
Creative Sound has committed to help plant Churches no matter where they are located. After the equipment is shipped to your location Creative Sound will fly/or drive to where you’re at, assemble the system and train your people.
Video
Nothing looks cooler then a well done video presentation. If all the components are in place your video presentation should be flawless. From the words for worship to the scripture during the message there are tons of programs out there that can make this task seem easy.
If video cameras are a necessity additional switchers and components would need to be added.
Recommended Video: Kramer, MediaShout
Lighting
Ok…here is a tough one. How much is too much. Are we lighting up the stage or are we entertaining the audience. This can be a fine line. However some lighting effects can be great for setting a mood or getting people excited about the music.
Lighting systems can range from $500 to $500,000 depending on what you want to do. If you’re in a dark theater you may want to shine some additional lighting up so people can see.
Recommended Lighting: Elation, American DJ, Acclaim
Save Time setting up
Now you own all the equipment you need its 2 weeks from launch Sunday and the theater you’re in needs you to be out 30min after service. What do you do? Is it possible?
When working with NLCs head of media we came up with many shortcuts and ideas to save time to where they are setting up in under a ½ hour! And it’s a large system.
Some Ideas that shave off time:
- Multi pin snakes
- All in one racks. Console sits on top while the DSP sets below next to the wireless components. All this is pre wired to the board where to take the lid off and connect one multi pin snake connection
- Live drums on a moving platform pre wired to the snake.
- Cables measured out and snaked together
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