How to Set Up Sound Systems for Church
When people go to church there are three things they notice most: who greets them at the door, what the bathrooms are like and how everything sounds. The running joke of audio engineers is that people think about them only when something goes wrong. Sound engineers need to be alert throughout a church service because they must always account for two factors: the people and the building. This guide will help you set up sound systems for your church with these factors in mind.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Lay out all cables, adapters and power strips. Place adapters near monitor and speaker locations. Put power strips in strategic locations between the soundboard and the pulpit area. Do not place power strips in high-traffic locations such as aisles or the altar or pulpit area.
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Set up the soundboard. If the church has a balcony, the best place for getting a balanced sound is in the center of the balcony; if not, set up the soundboard toward the middle of the sanctuary. Depending on how the aisles or pews are arranged, you may be able to carve out an area for the soundboard and seating for sound engineers.
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Set up the monitors. Monitors are needed in the pulpit area and wherever the singers are, and one also needs to be near the musicians. Plug the monitors into a nearby outlet but do not turn them on yet.
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Set up the microphones. Microphones are usually needed for the praise and worship team or ensemble that will be ministering in music at the beginning of the service. Microphones are needed for the keyboard (and/or organ) and for the drum kit. If the number of microphones is limited, you can use one per instrument group (i.e., horns, strings). Set up direct boxes for instruments that require an XLR connection.
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Set up the speakers. If you have two speakers, place one in the front-left corner and the other in the front-right corner of the sanctuary. If you have four speakers, place the third one in the middle left and the fourth toward the middle right of the sanctuary. In a mega-church, overhead speakers will already be in place and will not need to be moved.
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Set up the wireless audio. Have backup 9-volt batteries ready to use throughout the service. Place wireless boxes near the soundboard.
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Turn on all audio devices. Start with the soundboard; then turn on the monitors, then the speakers, then the microphones, then the instruments, then the wireless boxes. Test all sound equipment thoroughly before the service begins. Adjust the sound as the service progresses to account for the dynamic volume of the congregation and building acoustics.
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Tape down all cables to the floor so no one can trip and become injured. Use black duct tape for taping to carpet or concrete. If the church has hardwood floors, you'll need to consider taping at the baseboards so as not to damage the flooring.
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