Church Sound Podcast

More of the artistry in mixing this week on Church Sound Podcast! But this time... it's all before it gets to the console. James and Samantha explore microphone techniques and how to start experimenting with mic choice and placement. With so many to choose from, the options are nearly endless! Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program...

Samantha and James tackle our industry's most utilitarian tool: EQ! Where do we start using EQ, is there any particular go-to's, and what's the deal with low-pass filters? All this and more on this week's episode. Also, be sure to watch George Massenburg show how he uses parametric EQ : Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training...

On this week's episode, keeping things simple! How can we not only prepare our houses of worship for the times we may be gone, but how can we better train and prep the volunteers so that a tool as complex as a sound console becomes digestible and easy to use? James and Samantha dive into keeping our consoles simple and user-friendly, even with all the bells and whistles at our disposal! Co-ho...

Happy new year and happy new season! Tablets have made their way into our hearts and our toolboxes. But how do we set them up with a wireless router? What do we really even use them for? James and Samantha dive into tablets and iPads and how they've changed the game for us in so many ways. Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tai...

What's the big deal between stereo and mono? What even do each mean? Whether we're talking sound systems, buses, or inputs, there are some massive rules we need to understand about stereo and mono sound. Samantha and James discuss how we approach different sound system setups, and how we treat mono vs stereo inputs. Take a listen to explore more options within our stereo and mono audio w...

What the heck is a protocol and which one is right for me? James and Samantha dive into audio over ethernet and audio over IP protocols. Proprietary vs Non-Proprietary, intermingling devices and so much more is discussed on this week's episode of Church Sound Podcast!  Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailored specifically fo...

Our ears are no doubt our greatest tools when it comes to mixing. So how can we get those reps in to make ourselves even better? Well, to no one's surprise, it's training. James and Samantha dive into frequency and dynamic ear training, the "dumbbells" you can use to sharpen your listening, and even discuss musical arrangement training. Tune in to learn all about training our e...

While James and Samantha are zipping and zooming all over the globe, we've decided to dig into our archives and rerun one of our most popular episodes (and it so happens to be the first episode James makes an appearance! We'll be back soon with fresh episodes, ready to regale you with our travel tales of pro audio progress! Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church S...

We all love learning new skills, or even trying to save a few bucks here and there. But at some point, we all need to have a "Come to Jesus" moment and recognize we should hire a professional. James and Samantha dive into the stickiest topics that are either the least fruitful for DIYers or the most dangerous! Church Sound Podcast Season 1 Episode 19: Ryan O John, Time Aligning Drums Co-...

Virtual soundchecks (VSC) are one of our greatest tools as live audio engineers. It allows us to bridge the gap between studio and live -- without annoying parishioners or asking the drummer to hit a single tom for 20 mins! In this week's episode, James and Samantha discuss how to get VSC up and running, as well as the cost/benefits analysis of it all. James' Virtual Soundcheck Challenge...

It's time for everyone's favorite topic: drums! Samantha and James dig deep to discuss how they approach drums overall in the mix, and their approach to each individual drum. Drum kits can make or break a mix easily, and while much of the timbre and experience of drums is stemming from the player and their kit, we definitely have a few tricks up our sleeves to put a little bit of ourselv...

So what's most important to focus on when we're training up new volunteers? What about if we're just starting out in mixing or audio engineering? Samantha and James detail the most important focus points for any new mixer, or a veteran looking to polish up on the foundations. Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailore...

Digital, even analog, consoles give us nearly endless possibilities for routing our audio for our particular taste and style of mixing. Samantha and James explore all the ways we can route audio and how each of us approach our mixes. Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailored specifically for worship audio techs that’s now also ava...

What happens if we take our entire broadcast mix and produce it "in the box"? Samantha and James explore how to setup DAWs for broadcast mixing, the pros, the cons, and the why's! Co-host Samantha Potter is also 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 LinkedIn...

In-ear monitors are a trick of their own. James and Samantha discuss IEM and monitor techniques, skills, and common problems we see when helping musicians adjust to and make the most of their in-ear monitors. See Samantha on her LinkedIn , on IG @potteraudio , or contact her here ! Watch James on YouTube , on IG @attawayaudio , or contact him here !

A new and exciting era is beginning here at Church Sound Podcast. I've asked a dear friend, and an excellent engineer and educator to join me as a co-host. No, it's not because I'm going anywhere -- I wanted to bring in more perspectives, different experiences, and bring you more of the quality content you've enjoyed over the last two-and-a-half years. With all of this, please...

Jireh Vides is a systems engineer specializing in helping HoW tune their systems. Tune in to learn about the approach and process to optimizing your PA, and when it's time to hire in the big guns. MARANATHA!! Jireh's IG: @_jvides Host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Sound University — a training program tailored specifically for worship audio techs that’s now also...

Trade Show Season!! Things are absolutely bonkers and exciting right now, and despite all that, I wanted to make sure to bring you a little something this week. Daniel Liston Keller from Get It In Writing invited me to join his show with 30 Second Chances, as well as an episode of Insights In Sound. Be sure to check out Daniel's full list of interviews and videos at Get It In Writing. Full Vi...

Blake and Toby from Church Gear join me this week to talk about all that gear we've got in a closet. What happens to old gear? Should we be using it? If so, how? Listen in to see why I'm better than John Mayer and how to use the gear in our graveyards. Church Gear's Website My Episode On Church Gear's Podcast Church Gear's IG: @church_gear Host Samantha Potter is also co-l...

We all love our volunteers as they help carry most HoW in the weekly tasks, welcoming, admin, and tech work. But sometimes... volunteers are hurting more than they're helping. Or they've been doing it so long they've lost touch with why they began doing it at all. I bring back Cortney Lemke (fmr. Inbody) (our resident spiritual advisor) to discuss a seldom covered topic: when it&apo...

We've been talking about the future of audio and networking a lot over the last year or so, and in a new friend, John Huntington, who literally wrote the book on AVL networks, joins me to further our understanding of it all. Jump back in time and yet into the future with John as we discuss some basics of show networking, his amazing books, and even chasing tornados. John's Website John&a...

Compressors are wonderful tools, but often people don't understand in full or are afraid to twist too many knobs in. For this episode, I've brought back James Attaway from his flourishing career to come chat with us about compressors. It also happens to be that James is writing a multi-issue piece for Church Sound Magazine -- it's almost as if I planned this. Join us this week to le...

Knowing where to spend money on equipment can be tough and every person you ask may have a different answer. I've come up with some generalities in this week's episode on where it's best to save a few bucks, and where you can gain a lot by spending a little more. Let's try to use our money as wisely as possible and not blow it on unnecessary things, or on doodads and thingamaji...

Alesia Hendley is a long-time friend of mine with a myriad of work experiences that have come to a head at her new position at Audinate. There's been so much conversation around audio networking lately that I figured it would be excellent to grab Alesia and see if we could talk Dante. Alesia's LinkedIn Alesia's Website Host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with Church Soun...

Bon Voyage, into the new year! I quickly wrap up Season 2 during that weird time between Christmas and New Years where work is allegedly happening but we're all recovering from what the year has brought us (good or bad.) Thank you all, out there, reading this, listening to the podcast, or reading Church Sound Magazine. 2022 is scheduled to be bigger than ever, so strap in and let's be re...