SPL is a hairy beast, one that can be misconstrued too easily. This week, Michael Lawrence is back to chat with me about what Sound Pressure Level means for us sound engineers and how we can start measuring and understanding its consequences. Michael's System Tech Blog Rational Acoustics' YouTube Host Samantha Potter is co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailored specifically for worship audio techs that’s now also available online . Reach her via email here . T...
Jun 17, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Mix consistency is one of the most difficult achievements to aim for at a house of worship. Willa Snow joins me this week to discuss the process of getting consistency between services, between musicians, even between weeks or audio techs. Willa's Website Her IG handle: @w.snow.audio Willa's Artists: Ley Line , Dossey , Zach Person Host Samantha Potter is co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailored specifically for worship audio techs that’s now also available o...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Bennett Prescott from B&C Speakers joins me this week to discuss loudspeakers: what are they? How do they work? What should we listen for? Where do we begin!?! Bennett is the N. American Sales Director for B&C and has a long history with loudspeakers. If you've got an idea about how loudspeakers work but would like more info, this episode is for you! Email Bennet! Bennett's Website Host Samantha Potter is co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailored speci...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Touring system tech and professor of live sound in Austin, TX, Victoria Butash joins me this episode. As always we talk about how we end up in the places that we do, but more importantly, we also discuss the biggest booboos we see from students, volunteers, and new techs -- and how to solve them! We're all always learning, but newcomers tend to trip up on just a few things pretty habitually. Tune in to hear me and Victoria having far too much fun. Victoria's IG handle: @veebee.audio Host Samanth...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Third-party plugins have been popping up in discussions more and more lately. Well, I ask my friend Ben to join me in a discussion about what these things are, when we do and do not use them, and more! Plus, we get an update on Ben and what he's been doing since way back on Episode 12. Third-party plugins can open the door for massive extra (arguably gratuitous?) processing Living Oaks Recording Studio Ben's Facebook Ben's IG: beniveymusic Host Samantha Potter is co-lead instructor with Church S...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Isaac Moreno, one of the audio gurus behind Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, Warner Brothers, and DreamWorks and formerly on tour with the likes of Seventhday Slumber, KJ52, and Manafast, joins me to talk about approaching mixes. What do we focus on when we step up to the plate? What are our go-tos? Isaac is an amazing engineer with a huge heart for ministry and church audio -- plus we're basically neighbors! I couldn't not have him on. This is an episode for the books! Isaac's IG: isaac_moreno Host S...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 7
I try something different this week and instead answer questions I get from the field. There are so many that I come in contact with, so I figure why not make this a segment! On this episode, I cover a myriad of topics including balanced and unbalanced lines, stream translation, latency, burnout, and more! If you enjoy having me answer questions like this, or have your own question you'd like answered "on air" please shoot me an email (found below!) Brian's Balanced Audio Video Part 1 Host Saman...
Mar 25, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Grace Royse, a top-tier, A1-grade pro audio engineer, joined me this week to discuss virtual congregations along with a myriad of other topics. Grace has been working on events such as the Super Bowl, World Pride, the US Open, and thousands of festivals for over 18 years. This week, we wanted to talk about the idea of virtual congregations and the care and keeping of them, as well as improving our stream mix, and getting ourselves out of mixing ruts. What are your life values? I'd love to hear a...
Mar 11, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 5
How can we measure how loud our mix is so that is sounds as good as possible online? Boy, do I get that question a lot. Luckily, Michael Curtis joins me this week to tell us all about mastering, LUFS, and getting the biggest bang for our proverbial buck when it comes to broadcast mixing. Be sure to check out all the goodies linked below! Michael's Audio Math Survival Sheet Learn AVL Youlean Michael's Audio Blog Host Samantha Potter is co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training ...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Speech intelligence is arguably the most important part of any PA -- doubly for houses of worship. How can we improve our speech intelligibility? How do we even figure out how "good" it actually is? Luckily, Ted Leamy is here to talk to us about the Speech Transmission Index. Ted is the general manager for Clair Global Integrations. You may know Clair from their thousands of tours of the biggest stars on the planet? Yeah, that Clair. Ted has a storied history with speakers and working in the tou...
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Joshua Maichele (my-kellee) a veteran currently with L'Acoustics as the go-to fella for houses of worship and other faith-based organizations. On this episode, we dive into audio infrastructure as it was, where it is, and where it's going. Begone, COPPER! We hath banished you from whence you came. Fibre is here. How does this change how we design new spaces? What's the benchmark for new audio engineers? Get nerdy with me and Josh this week. Josh's Instagram: @joshmaichele Josh's Podcast: High-Te...
Jan 28, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 2
I kick off 2021 with a brand new episode about streaming. Broadcasting is everywhere and isn't going anyplace anytime soon. This week, Jon Wygant from VOUS church joins me. He's the production coordinator for VOUS in Miami, FL, who's seen exponential growth over the last year (to the tune of 40,000 downloads a week!) We talk equipment, style, technique, and so much more. This is such a great episode, I must admit. Jon's Instagram: @jon_wygant VOUS's article on PSW Host Samantha Potter is co-lead...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Thank you guys for all of your support this year. I've got big plans for the podcast coming up this year (Lord willing,) and I'm excited to have you along for the ride. If you have any requests or ideas you'd like to hear on the show, please shoot me an email! I would love to know more about what you guys are interested in hearing. Happy New Year! So long, 2020! Host Samantha Potter is co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailored specifically for worship audio te...
Dec 31, 2020•6 min
This has been a year for the books. Some of us for better, some of us for worse. I asked Cortney Inbody, our pastor-in-residence, to join me in this week's episode because I felt like we all needed a deep breath and a check in. I think some of us are burned out, maybe frustrated, tired, and more. I don't want you to forget that I'm here for you (if you ever need anything -- tech related or otherwise.) We're in this together. As much as we want to give to other people, sometimes we need to take c...
Dec 17, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 22
James Rudder is a live sound engineer AND a studio engineer. With quite a varied background in audio, much of his career has been in tandem with Hillsong Church. James and I discuss the blending of these two worlds and the different techniques we can take from studio world for live-sound use. Live sound consoles are getting more and more powerful, so as every new firmware or console is released, we can take even more from the likes of studio processing. If you're looking for a bulleted list of t...
Dec 03, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Gary Zandstra and Justin Edmonds of D16 Technologies join me this week to talk about the merging of technology and talent. This extends far beyond simply musicians and engineers, but what about technology in our worship services? As a part of an ongoing conversation about blending seemingly opposite ideas, Gary, Justin, and I explore what it means to work with others and stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zones for the sake of teamwork. As a bonus question, Gary and Justin ask me about attract...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Have you ever heard of drum alignment? What about time alignment? Notable veteran audio engineer and AVID product developer Ryan John joins me on this week's episode and we explore implementing time alignment in our mixes. Playing with time (or distance, depending) can drastically change the relationship between mics in your console. If you've never played with the input delay on your digital board, this is your sign . Time Alignment Demo Tracks from Ryan Ryan's Social Media Host Samantha Potter...
Nov 05, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 19
If you read the title of this episode and started singing the jingle, you're a cool kid. My friend Jim Yakabuski joins me in another episode this week. There seems to be so much content for us to consume, but how do we sift through it? What if we want something more formal? Jim and I swim through a multitude of different audio programs available in different formats -- in person, at a college, online. Audio programs can over a lot of value, but be certain that you'll be guaranteed something at t...
Oct 22, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 18
This week, I thought it would be best to give you guys a way to listen to this incredibly important panel discussion. This episode, as you may have noticed, is a lot longer than my normal episodes. So, take your time -- but keep listening. A panel of incredible professionals in the field with a vast array of backgrounds and disciplines joins me. A discussion revolving the future of the audio industry and how we can use this once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a better industry for everyone in it....
Oct 08, 2020•2 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Church tech and leadership conferences can be a great way to meet professionals and other tech teams, educate yourself or your team, or just find out the latest and greatest gear. Since WFX has discontinued, the vacuum for a church tech conference is in existence. CFX, church facilities conference and expo, is poised to fill it. Stephanie Lippi joins me this week as we discuss what virtual conferences are like and why we should be paying attention. Check out the CFX Conference and Expo Sign Up f...
Sep 24, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Wireless mics and monitors aren't getting any simpler, but so many churches want to begin implementing them earlier and earlier. So how do we begin understanding all this wireless mumbo-jumbo? Karl Winkler from Lectrosonics joins me this week in tackling these vast and complicated ideas. Wireless systems create so much value and can give us so much freedom -- but with great freedom comes great responsibility (or something like that.) Wireless gremlins, rechargeable batteries, audio jobs in the m...
Sep 10, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Two gents from Group1 Limited join me today to discuss the transitions in technology -- a bridge we all inevitably cross. As always, communication is a huge tool in our arsenal. But what are our first steps? How do we know what's appropriate for us? When do we even know when we should start thinking about upgrading a system or transitioning to newer audio gear? The Church Sound Podcast is sponsored by DiGiCo and KLANG:technologies . Episode Links: Need some help finding a local solution? Matt an...
Aug 27, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Jeff Hawley joins me this week. The Marketing Maestro at Allen & Heath USA, Jeff is an audio engineer, music industry veteran, and aspiring philosopher. We discuss the idea of "mixing-by-number". When should you use presets? When shouldn't you? At what point do we consider visual cues on a board a crutch? (Hint: your ears are important!) Pursuing some post-graduate degrees in philosophy, Jeff seeks to understand the intersection of sound and mind. Who can say what "good" is, and how can we q...
Aug 13, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Soundcheck can be a flurry of never-ending checklists and troubleshooting. My friend Ben Ivey joins me to discuss how we approach every soundcheck from the time we show up at church to the beginning of service. Building confidence in your skills can make soundcheck a breeze -- don't discount organization and repetition! Bonus: 25 tambourines (as compared to 1) is an SPL increase of 28dB = [20log(25/1)], so could effortlessly hit 120dB. Beware of 25 tambourines. Living Oaks Recording Studio Ben's...
Jul 30, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Chris Leonard, one of the hosts of the Signal To Noise Podcast and director of audio at IMS Technology Services joins me this week. What does it look like to play well with others? Chris and I discuss what it means to work with people we don't get along with (and why it matters most.) Additionally, we hash out adding in pads and tracks into worship sets. Also, what does the corporate world and the House of Worship world have in common? The Signal To Noise Podcast (available where you listen to p...
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 11
David Jordan is the almighty ruler of the very popular Facebook group, Church Sound & Media Techs. Perhaps you've heard of it? David and I discuss what the future of church technology might look like once we are able to return to some sort of new normal. What have been your toughest adjustments so far during quarantine? What do you think church will look like from now on? David on Facebook The CSMT Group Church Sound Podcast is sponsored by DiGiCo and KLANG, and is hosted by Samantha Potter,...
Jul 02, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Repping Orlando, Florida, Beckie Campbell shares her experiences as a tech director and production company owner. Being a tech director takes a lot of knowledge, skill, patience, leadership, and communication. Not every church needs one, but the second your production hits a certain level it’s time to bring in the big guns. Beckie and I discuss the path towards some kind of legacy — acting selflessly and trying to give back to those around us and those who will come after us. Care about your tea...
Jun 18, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Networked audio... the new wave of technology we cannot escape from not matter how hard we cry. It's the way of the future and there's no getting out now. Dan Leafblad joins me this week to talk not only about audio, video, and lighting networks, but what ministry can look like beyond the walls of our church buildings in a technical and spiritual approach. Dan's first installment of AVL Networking Dan's Articles on PSW Yamaha Pro Audio Networking Playlist Wiki Page for Networking Protocols Churc...
Jun 04, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Monitors. What a freakishly important, yet entirely ignored wonder of audio. Jordan Tracy joins me this week for all things monitor world. KLANG, personal monitor mixers, and IEMs galore! Jordan hails from SoCal but lives in the Midwest helping an admittedly massive church achieve perfect monitors for every musician that walks on stage. With a background working and learning with Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia, this monitor engineer has more than enough knowledge to go around. Jordan's In-...
May 21, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Get ready for an audio explosion. Brian Maddox (Patti LaBelle, James Brown, Herbie Hancock) is a pro audio veteran with enough experience to fill several books. Our main topic covers some best practices for live sound: the importance of proper gaffing, objectivity vs subjectivity, troubleshooting tips, and more. What are your best live sound practices? Brian Maddox on ProSoundWeb ProSoundWeb Forums Church Sound Podcast is sponsored by Saint Paul School of Theology and is hosted by Samantha Potte...
May 07, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 6
