Church Audio Problems
Another issue that can cause stage volume is from stage monitors. When you run your stage monitors at levels that are too loud, you risk having the sound bounce around on stage and ultimately out in to the audience causing the same muddy and time delay issues that a loud instrument causes. Many musicians on stage think that in order to hear something specifically in their mix, that they need the audio engineer to turn it up more. In some cases that is true, but you, as a musician, may want to listen more closely to your monitor before asking for something to be turned up. Is there one or two instruments that are much louder in contrast to the others? If so, you may want to ask the audio engineer to turn those down before asking him to turn other things up. Try it! It works!
#2 – MICROPHONE TECHNIQUE
First, you need the right microphone for the job. There are a wide array of microphones out there. But you need the right tool for the job. Check out the make and model number of your microphone and look it up online. You don’t need to understand what all the technical jargon means, just understand what the microphone’s intended purpose was and how it should be used.
Once you understand the microphone’s application, then you need to set it up and position it in the right way. Way to often, I see a Shure SM57 hanging over the top of a guitar amp dangling over speaker. First of all, that mic is positioned completely wrong and is micing the floor rather then the guitar amp. You are micing indirect soundwaves which is probably introducing some type of phasing into your mix as well.
Vocalists who cup mics and sing incorrectly to them are also extremely difficult for audio engineers to compensate for. When you sing, you should never cup the windscreen. This prevents frequency rejection which the mic was designed to do. It can also cause more mic pops and other breath related noises that can ruin a good sound.
Also, when you sing, you should maintain a consistent distance from your mouth to the mic. Vocalists who are far away for one song and then totally eat the mic on the next are a nightmare for an audio engineer to keep up with. It doesn’t matter how good of a mic you have, it doesn’t matter how good your compressors are, it doesn’t matter how good your preamps are, it’s still going to sound terrible if the vocalist doesn’t know how to properly use a mic. Sometimes, vocalists will sound check right up on the mic and then move back when they perform because they are nervous. And then they complain they can’t hear anything. Consistency is key here. My biggest suggestion for audio engineers is to humbly and graciously educate your vocalists on how to use a microphone and also patiently remind them when they forget because chances are, your band will forget. Just keep reminding them without being annoying. We’re all still learning after all anyway right? 🙂
#3 – PROPER GAIN STRUCTURE
When you mix sound check, you must properly set gain structure for each and every input. You should start with the fader all the way down where the small infinity sign is. After making sure the gain or trim fader is turned all the way to the left, unmute the channel and bring the fader up to 0 dB. Then, gradually bring the gain knob up to the desired loudness. Then, EQ the channel and mix your monitors.
#4 – HOUSE VOLUME
Yes, I know I am treading on an age old delicate topic in some churches. If your mix is too loud, it is counter productive
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