It is an experience most people can recall: as a meaningful worship service progresses, an unexpected screech, pop or howl from the sound system brings a jarring interruption. Are these distractions necessary evils of technology, or could they be avoided?
Taking care of the church sound system can result in a higher quality audio boost while eliminating those unexpected noises. Here's a list of the "top 10" problems with church sound systems, and what to do about them.
#10 - Too many open microphones. Some well-meaning church members use the term "feedback" to describe any weird noise (i.e. pop, hum, buzz, howl, etc.) that emerges from the sound system. However, feedback is a specific term describing a specific phenomenon: it occurs when an "open" microphone (one that has its volume turned up) picks up the sound coming from a loudspeaker and feeds it back into the sound system, creating a perpetual sonic loop.
There are many ways to deal with feedback, but the simplest and most cost-effective way is to "kill" (turn down) all microphone channels except those that are being used at any particular time. The more open microphones, the greater the risk of feedback.
For feedback prevention, proper system equalization using real-time analysis (RTA) is an absolute must. In addition, churches should consider the installation of some type of electronic "feedback eliminator," like the Peavey Feedback Ferret II or the Sabine Feedback Exterminator.
#9 - Overuse of wireless microphones. Respected church audio specialist Kent Morris said there is only one way in which wireless mikes are superior to their hard-wired counterparts, and that is in the freedom of movement they afford. In every other way - in terms of sound quality, reliability, cost - they are likely to be inferior. Churches would be wise to use hard-wired microphones whenever and wherever possible.
#8 - No sound check. A multiplicity of problems can be avoided by simply checking the sound system before worship begins. The sound person cannot expect to have quality sound if he or she simply walks into the booth and turns on the system just as the organist or praise team is beginning. If something is wrong, it's too late to fix it.
It is helpful to do a walking tour of the pulpit/chancel area prior to worship. Yogi Berra is reported to have said, "It's amazing what you can observe by looking!" Are any microphones unplugged? Are cables obviously broken? Have the hanging choir microphones twisted around on their cables, so they face away from the choir? Once obvious problems are corrected, it's time to turn on the system, visually scan the mixing board, and make sure settings are where they should be. If time permits, it's helpful to run through musical numbers with those who are playing and singing, especially if they are using a backup track.
#7 - Ignoring what might have happened between Sundays. Contrary to popular belief, all kinds of mysterious things take place in church sanctuaries between Sundays. Weddings are among the worst offenders, because all of the pulpit furniture is normally moved out of the sanctuary, along with microphones, cables and floor monitors. This means that someone (often the church custodian, and sometimes the bride's mother) is pulling and tugging at cables, and not always with the correct technique. Not only may things be damaged during weddings, but things may not be correctly replaced.
After any wedding (or any time the pulpit area is cleared), the church sound team should presume that the system will not work properly, and should get to church early in order to identify and solve problems before worship begins.
#6 - Dead (or weak) batteries. Most wireless devices (like microphones or instrument wireless systems) require their full complement of battery power. A lower voltage might still enable the device to function, but once the power drops more than one volt, problems will ensue - often manifested as strange noises like pops or fizzing sounds. The sound booth should have a generous supply of new alkaline batteries in stock at all times. NiCad (rechargeable) batteries should be avoided. And, so-called "heavy duty" (carbon zinc) batteries are the kiss of death for wireless microphones.
To be safe, figure that a new Alkaline battery will last two worship services in a wireless microphone - after that, the voltage drops dangerously low. At that point, mark them with an "X" and make them available for less power-hungry uses.
#5 - Not keeping the sound desk locked. One should keep in mind two things: (1) children like to climb and explore, and (2) those colorful knobs and switches are too great a temptation. To avoid disasters on Sunday, lock the sound system during the week. If the choir and pulpit microphones seem to have stopped working, check the phantom power switch - kids love to push that button.
#4 - Inattention. Correcting this problem is simple: the sound engineer needs to get a bulletin, stay alert, read ahead, and see what's coming before it happens. Many worship services have bogged down simply because the sound person was sleeping on the job.
#3 - Lack of coordination with worship leaders. Sound technicians should talk with the musicians and pastor ahead of time to learn the game plan.
Members of the sound team are important members of the worship team. Paul asked, "how will they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14). The sound team is responsible for making sure the people can hear, and shouldn't hesitate to ask for inclusion in worship planning and coordination.
#2 - Turning a molehill into a mountain. While attending to a service call at a large church in Virginia, this writer noticed a big sign on a stick in the sound booth, on which was printed in huge letters: "IS YOUR MIC TURNED ON?" It's best if the sound team doesn't distract the preacher, who has a serious enough task already. And, it's helpful if pastors are kind enough not to call attention to it when something goes wrong in the sound booth. The sound team already feels badly when mistakes are made, and needs to focus on correcting the problem.
#1 - Trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. A poorly designed sound system is not going to sound good, no matter what the sound technician does. A do-it-yourself, piecemeal approach to church audio is likely to result in disrupted worship, frustration and hurt feelings. Good sound systems cost what they are worth. Every church that hasn't done so should consider contacting a professional sound designer/contractor to help address any ongoing issues. If a system is properly designed and installed, many of the potential Sunday morning pitfalls will go away.