Mixing it up

This past Sunday I got to do something a little different. I got to run the sound board for the contemporary service at church.

I was a little apprehensive about it.

You see, for the last few months I have been doing the sound during the Wednesday night youth group meetings. Pretty simple, really. Two live wireless mics for the skit, one audio feed from the guitar and two mics for the worship, and a stereo mix from the laptop for ambient music during chatter time. Easy-peasy. Seven channels and I know the room's acoustics.

The Sanctuary is a completely different animal. Different board. Different room. 500 people paying attention instead of 50...oh, and one entire practice session to learn it almost a week before-hand (all 18 channels, 3 return feeds, 4 wireless packs, and awkward house acoustics). 8^0

Yikes.

Of course, it is never as simple as practice either. We had a ground uplift problem, feedback on the podium, and the lead guitar player forgot to turn on his wireless transmitter so channel 10 was dead. Ouch. (Slide up the keyboard and ride it, hoping that the congregation doesn't notice).

At least I hit the cues and the pastors' mics were live when they started speaking. That could have been embarrassing.

So, now I am in the hot seat doing audio production at our church, during the services instead of just the youth meetings. Bigger audience, more stress - but more satisfaction when it goes well. I want our service to be welcoming and the message to get out clearly, unsullied by technical mishaps.

I have a long way to go. At least the journey started off well.

I hope you take the time to assess your talents and abilities. Use them in the service of others. Do well. It's worth it.

Pax,

Newbius